Pabna, May 05 (V7N) - Azizul Kabir, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Lalpur Upazila in Natore district, which borders Ishwardi in Pabna, has been accused of conducting an unauthorized raid in the Sara area of Ishwardi. Victims of the alleged raid have also claimed that a dredger, boat shelves, batteries, toolboxes, mobile phones, and cash were looted during the operation.

The victims voiced their complaints at a press conference held at Sara Ghat, Sara Union, Ishwardi Upazila, on Saturday afternoon (May 3rd).

Sultan Ali Biswas Tony, one of the alleged victims, stated, "We have been legally extracting sand from the Padma River in the Sara area, paying all government dues and adhering to regulations." He further alleged that on May 2nd, Azizul Kabir, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) of neighboring Lalpur Upazila in Natore district, arrived in the area with the army, conducted a raid, arrested four individuals, and sentenced them to varying terms of imprisonment. During this raid, he claimed that a dredger, boat shelves, batteries, toolboxes, mobile phones, and cash were seized.

Tony also asserted, "We have learned from the Pabna and Ishwardi administrations that they did not grant any permission for this operation. Azizul Kabir conducted this operation completely illegally and without any adherence to rules. They allege that while four people were sentenced to prison, the goods were looted without any official seizure documentation."

Another alleged victim, Mehedi Hasan, said, "We are conducting our business here legally, depositing money into the government treasury. However, this illegal operation has created fear and panic among everyone. We demand a proper investigation into this incident and action against those responsible."

Denying the accusations, Azizul Kabir, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Lalpur Upazila, stated, "We did not conduct a raid on the borders of Ishwardi. Our raiding team only used the Saraghat of Ishwardi to apprehend illegal sand miners. The Ishwardi Upazila Nirbahi Officer was subsequently informed about the matter. The arrested individuals were involved in illegal sand mining and supply operations from the Balu Mahal (sand quarry) of the Padmanadhi River. The allegations are baseless."

In response to the allegations, Ishwardi Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Subir Kumar Das commented, "We have no objections to conducting operations in Balu Mahal. However, conducting operations across district boundaries requires discussion with the administrator of the concerned district and a joint operation. Lalpur Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Azizul Kabir violated the law by conducting operations within Ishwardi boundaries, detaining individuals, and confiscating dredgers and boats without any prior discussion with us. This is highly inappropriate. I have communicated this matter to the Pabna District Administrator and demanded that the relevant higher authorities take action."

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