Local residents on Saturday blocked the motorcade of two government advisers in protest against the decision to permanently ban stone extraction leases in Sylhet’s Jaflong area, as the officials were returning to Dhaka following a visit.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan visited the Jaflong area to inspect the Jaflong Ecological Critical area (ECA) on Saturday.

When the motorcade of the two advisers reached Jaflong Bazar around 11:45 am, local people started chanting slogans saying, ‘Fake! Fake!’

At one stage, they blocked the road by lying down on the street, creating a tense situation in the area.

Sarkar Mohammad Tofayel Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Gowainghat Police Station, said the local people abruptly obstructed the motorcade of the advisers.

On information, police rushed in and moved them away. “The advisers were taken to Haripur Guest House safely,” he said.

Earlier, around noon, speaking to journalists following the visit, Adviser Rizwana said, “No new leases will be issued for stone extraction in Sylhet. Plans are underway to transform Jaflong into a well-designed tourism destination.”

“This region is rich in natural beauty and ecological importance. We’ve spoken to the Ministry of Tourism. We aim to promote eco-friendly tourism here, while ensuring alternative livelihoods for those currently dependent on stone extraction,” she said.

Govt to halt stone extraction leases in Jaflong, announces Eco-Tourism Master Plan

Rizwana said legal action had already been taken against those involved in illegal sand and stone extraction from the Jaflong ECA. “Anyone found engaging in such activities in the future will face strict legal consequences,” she warned.

Meanwhile, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir, who accompanied Rizwana during the visit, said, “Illegal stone extraction is devastating the environment of Jaflong and nearby areas. Power connections to illegal stone crushers in Jaflong will be disconnected.”