The upazila administration of Jhikargacha in Jashore has seized six trucks loaded with soil and one excavator involved in illegal soil excavation and sand extraction.
Zahiduzzaman, an excavator operator, was fined Tk 1 lakh during the operation. The six trucks were later released upon a written undertaking.
The seizures and fines were carried out on Tuesday morning through mobile court operations led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Bhupali Sarkar in various areas of the upazila.
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UNO Bhupali Sarkar confirmed the information and said that a mobile court was conducted following a tip-off about illegal sand extraction.
An excavator was seized from the banks of the Barbakpur Kopotakkho river, and the operator was fined Tk 1 lakh and he would face three months of imprisonment in default, she added.
Meanwhile, locals have lauded the administration’s efforts to protect the environment and enforce the law against such unlawful activities.