Sylhet Bureau :
The stone quarries in Sylhet region have become virtual death trap as the labourers die there every day.
At least 10 people were killed in four quarry stones in Sylhet in last two weeks.
People of the region and environment activists said it seems that the death situation has become a common issue into the quarry area. The illegal and unplanned extraction of stones and forced work during rain are to blame for such tragic and repeated deaths. However, the malpractice continues till now even after death of the ten people in different stone quarries. At least 20 others were also injured in the quarries in last two weeks.
Meanwhile, the authorities concerned are playing silent role in this regard. They have not taken any preventive measure to control such activities till now.
After the death incident into the quarry, the local administration become active for few hours, but later they forget it, said family members of many victims.
In some cases they detain some quarry owners and file cases against them only for eyewash, they said. The latest incident of death took place on March 10 at Jaflong stone quarry at Goanghat upazila.
Just days after the death of three people in a mudslide while extracting stones from a stone quarry at Companiganj, the Jafong labourer was killed while he was also extracting stones from the quarry. Another was injured in the time. Police detained the owner of the stone quarry following the incident. Many said it is nothing but eyewash. Police and local sources said a group of labourers were working at Nependra Das stone quarry near the Londonibazar Jame mosque at Jaflong. At one stage, a big chunk of stone fall over them, leaving Babul dead on the spot.
On February 28, three workers were killed and two others were injured in a mudslide at a stone quarry in Companiganj of Sylhet.
On February 25, a worker was killed inside a pit in Lobhachhara area of Kanaighat upazila.
On February 24, five workers were killed and three others were injured in a in a similar incident at Bholaganj area of Companiganj upazila.
Abdul Hye Al-Hadi, chief executive of Save the Heritage and Environment, blamed illegal and unplanned extraction of stones from the quarries for the recent incidents.
Talking to Bangladesh Post, the anthropologist said accidental death of stone workers can only be controlled if the environmental laws are strictly followed and enforced.
Shaheda Akther, a coordinator of BELA’s Sylhet chapter, said alongside the the government’s step, the local people must be awared and come forward about the matter. She urged the all quarry owners to stop the illegal practices.
The stone quarries in Sylhet region have become virtual death trap as the labourers die there every day.
At least 10 people were killed in four quarry stones in Sylhet in last two weeks.
People of the region and environment activists said it seems that the death situation has become a common issue into the quarry area. The illegal and unplanned extraction of stones and forced work during rain are to blame for such tragic and repeated deaths. However, the malpractice continues till now even after death of the ten people in different stone quarries. At least 20 others were also injured in the quarries in last two weeks.
Meanwhile, the authorities concerned are playing silent role in this regard. They have not taken any preventive measure to control such activities till now.
After the death incident into the quarry, the local administration become active for few hours, but later they forget it, said family members of many victims.
In some cases they detain some quarry owners and file cases against them only for eyewash, they said. The latest incident of death took place on March 10 at Jaflong stone quarry at Goanghat upazila.
Just days after the death of three people in a mudslide while extracting stones from a stone quarry at Companiganj, the Jafong labourer was killed while he was also extracting stones from the quarry. Another was injured in the time. Police detained the owner of the stone quarry following the incident. Many said it is nothing but eyewash. Police and local sources said a group of labourers were working at Nependra Das stone quarry near the Londonibazar Jame mosque at Jaflong. At one stage, a big chunk of stone fall over them, leaving Babul dead on the spot.
On February 28, three workers were killed and two others were injured in a mudslide at a stone quarry in Companiganj of Sylhet.
On February 25, a worker was killed inside a pit in Lobhachhara area of Kanaighat upazila.
On February 24, five workers were killed and three others were injured in a in a similar incident at Bholaganj area of Companiganj upazila.
Abdul Hye Al-Hadi, chief executive of Save the Heritage and Environment, blamed illegal and unplanned extraction of stones from the quarries for the recent incidents.
Talking to Bangladesh Post, the anthropologist said accidental death of stone workers can only be controlled if the environmental laws are strictly followed and enforced.
Shaheda Akther, a coordinator of BELA’s Sylhet chapter, said alongside the the government’s step, the local people must be awared and come forward about the matter. She urged the all quarry owners to stop the illegal practices.
