Unchecked sand mining from the Chela River has resulted in devastating riverbank erosion, posting a grave threat to agricultural lands, educational institutions, markets and forcing many people to shift to other places.
The erosion has already devoured two villages and five more villages in Doarabazar upazila are facing threat.
Local people have demanded the authorities’ immediate intervention to halt sand extraction from the river, which flows through Narsingpur union.
Visiting the erosion-hit areas, UNB the correspondent found that 30 families in Sarpinpara village on the northern bank of the Chela River have turned homeless.
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The victims included families of Azad Mia, Sanur Ali and Monir Hossain whose homes were washed away.
Besides, the river eroded 20 homesteads, a school and a customs office in Purbachairgaon village over the past one year as sand lifting from the river continued.
It also devoured 50 homesteads and rural roads in Sonapur, Daulatpur, Rahimerpara and Sarpinpara villages.
Shahjahan, a resident of Purbachairgaon village, said he lost two acres of land and his home to the river in the past two years. Now, he and his family live in a loft on a land. “If sand mining isn’t stopped, no village along the Chela River will survive,” he said.
Azad Mia of Sarpinpara described how sand mining has left families destitute. “We’ve moved our home five times, but all our land is gone. The Chela River is swallowing us whole,” he lamented.
Azad Mia alleged that some unscrupulous people in collusion with local authorities are illegally extracting sand.
Union Parishad member Faiz Uddin of Rahimerpara village accused local influential people of profiting from sand mining at the cost of local lives and livelihoods.
"Even after 52 years of independence, the plight of the riverbank people has been ignored," said Faiz Uddin.
He called for an immediate halt to sand mining leases and measures to protect the vulnerable areas.
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Contacted, members of Sylhet Battalion 48 BGB denied allegations of their involvement, claiming that sand miners often evade their watch.
Narsingpur UP Chairman Nur Uddin Ahmed said that the number of people on the riverbanks who have lost their homes is increasing day by day.
He warned that continued erosion could erase entire villages from the map.
Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ilias Mia said, "I have just heard that homes are being destroyed due to sand mining from the Chela River. Necessary measures will be taken to protect the area along the riverbanks."