Unscrupulous people have continued lifting of sand from Chikli River at Sahapur and Sakimuddinerdanga areas under Badarganj municipality in the upazila of Rangpur district is going on unabated causing serious risk for the river bank, local primary school, cultivable lands and other establishments.
Several hundreds acres of cultivable land and houses on the river bank are threatened by erosion, the locals said.
It is alleged that a section of local influential people are involved in indiscriminate lifting of sand from the river in collusion with some dishonest officials in the administration.
People claimed that they lodged complaint several times to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer but no step has been taken so far in this regard. They further said that law enforcing agencies seem to be reluctant to take any action against the sand traders who are involved in continuous sand lifting.
Many residents of affected areas said hundreds of acres of land of their areas have become unfit for cultivation because of continuous sand lifting. They urged the concerned authorities to take immediate steps to stop sand lifting from Chikli River.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Khandokar Istiak Ahmed said they will take necessary steps in this regard. Stern action will be taken if any sand trader is found lifting sand, he added.
