The Upazila administration of Companiganj on Saturday gave a three-day ultimatum to return stones that were robbed from local quarries and hidden in different places during a public meeting in the Companiganj Upazila Parishad hall with local residents.
Officials said that if anyone is found keeping the stones after three days, strict legal action will be taken against them.
Padmasan Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Overall) of Sylhet, attended as the chief guest chaired by Companiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Robin Mia.
Special guests included Companiganj-Goainhat Circle ASP Abdullah Al Noman, Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Abdul Matin, O.C. (Investigation) of Companiganj Police Station Sujan Chandra, Secretary of Companyganj Press Club Abdul Jalil, Sylhet BNP Adviser Advocate Kamal Hossain, Amir of Companiganj Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana Faizur Rahman, Ishaklas Union Chairman Sajjad Hossain Saju, General Secretary of Stone Importers Group Nazrul Islam, President of Crush Mill Owners’ Association Abdul Jalil, President of Stone Traders’ Association Abul Hossain, General Secretary of Khelafat Majlis Hafiz Masum Ahmed, and Convenor of Gono Adhikar Parishad Liton Mahmud, and many others.
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Moderated by Companiganj Upazila Women Affairs Officer Shibli Atika Tinny, speakers at the meeting said that since Companyganj is a stone-rich area, quarries should be leased following traditional methods for stone extraction, or stopping illegal stone extraction will be difficult.
Traders demanded an end to harassment of those importing or crushing stones legally, and restoration of electricity connections to crushing mills.
Chief guest Padmasan Singh said, “We need your co-operation to return the stones to their original places. Following the district commissioner’s instructions, residents of each ward should return the stones within three days. If anyone fails to comply, legal action will be taken.”
He added that announcements about this would be disseminated through public microphone from Saturday afternoon.