Our Correspondent :
Ignoring the administration’s ban, illegal cutting of sand and char crop land from the Padma River at Kamalpur and Bilkada in Laxmikunda Union of Ishwardi is not being stopped.
Even after the police of Ishwardi conducted frequent raids to stop sand extraction and cutting of soil and arrested the accused including drum trucks and tractors, the misdeeds of the influential people of the area are still going on. Visiting the spot on Thursday, it was seen that illegal extraction of river sand with dredger machine and illegal cutting of soil with vacuum from the crop land of Padma Char continued. The locals have expressed concern that the river banks, crop lands and houses in the area may be washed away by the river.
According to local sources, local influential people have been extracting sand from several river banks in Laxmikunda Union for a long time. Illegal cutting of soil during the dry season is causing severe damage to the environment. After conducting more than one operation at the initiative of the administration, sand extraction and soil cutting are stopped for a couple of days. Later, the locals again questioned the administration about how they were illegally extracting soil and sand by disregarding government instructions. Locals said on condition of anonymity that the mastermind of the crime was out of reach. Drum truck and tractor drivers are being detained.
Asked about this to Ishwardi Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Firoz Kabir, he said the police operation would continue as per Section 15 (1) of the Balu Mahal and Soil Management Act of 2010.
Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer PM Imrul Kayes said it was not possible to conduct regular operations due to lack of manpower. However, we will also conduct regular campaigns.
It is to be mentioned that in recent times, the police have conducted raids at several ghats and arrested several people including drum trucks and tractors with illegally excavated soil.
