United News of Bangladesh

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. Sada Pathor spot to be brought under 24/7 CCTV surveillance: Sr Secy Mokhlesur Rahman 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.

The government will bring the Sada Pathor tourism spot under 24-hour CCTV surveillance, said Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman, senior secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration. He also warned that no one involved in the looting of stones from Sada Pathor tourist area — regardless of their rank in the administration or political affiliation — will be spared.  Mokhlesur Rahman made the remarks during a visit to the site on Friday morning. “The administration must remain on high alert so that no one dares to extract stones illegally in the future,” he added.

Police have seized around 50,000 cubic feet of looted ‘Sada Pathor’ during fresh drives in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet, raising the total recovery to nearly 500,000 cft since the massive stone plundering that sparked nationwide criticisms. The drives were conducted from Monday evening to 11pm, said officer-in-charge (OC) of Companiganj Police Uzair Al Mahmud Adnan. He said they will continue the drives to recover the looted stones and arrest those involved in the illegal extraction. So far, 11 people have been arrested in connection with the cases filed by the Department of Mines and Minerals. Sylhet DC removed amid stone scam Earlier, on Monday afternoon, police carried out operations in Sylhet Sadar upazila, including Tilapara, Rangitila, Kandipara and Salia villages. During the drives, around 5,100 cubic feet of stones were recovered, hidden in paddy fields, house courtyards and alongside roads. As the looting of the stone drew severe criticism across the country, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet Sher Mahbub Murad was removed on Monday. Companiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Azizunnahar was also transferred. Meanwhile, the government has appointed former magistrate of Rapid Action Battalion Sarwar Alam, known for his tough stance against irregularities in society, as the Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet.