Pabna, Feb 18 (V7N) – While it goes unnoticed during the day, as night falls, illegal sand extraction operations in Pabna become active. These operations continue throughout the night, causing significant environmental damage. The excessive sand extraction is leading to the loss of thousands of acres of farmland each year due to river erosion, severely affecting farmers in the riverbank areas.
 
Local residents accuse the administration of not taking any action to stop the illegal sand extraction, which allegedly operates under the protection of political figures. The leadership of these sand extraction activities has shifted from Awami League members to BNP activists.
 
Reports indicate that sand is being extracted from at least 20 points in the region, including areas along the Padma River such as Hemayetpur Union's Char Bhabanipur, Dogachhi Union's Char Ballampur, Bhadara Union's Dori Bhau Danghi, Char Tarapur Union's Dighi Goyalbari, and other locations across Sadar, Bera, and Ishwardi upazilas. Sand-laden trucks move freely through the district, passing by the local administration without obstruction.
 
According to locals, after media reports, sand extraction was temporarily halted but resumed last week. Now, instead of during the day, sand is being extracted at night. Previously, the Awami League controlled these operations, but after August 5, with the departure of their leaders, BNP activists have taken over.
 
According to local residents, the sand extracted from each point generates between Tk 500,000 to 1 million daily, amounting to millions of taka in sand sales every day. A portion of this revenue allegedly goes into the pockets of local political figures and administrative personnel, leaving only occasional, ineffective public operations by the authorities.
 
Farmers like Saeed Pramanik, Eskandar Hossain from Char Bhabanipur, and Shahjahan Mallik, Keramat Ali from Char Ballampur, and others, say the sand extraction has destroyed their livelihoods. "We used to grow crops like peanuts when the river would dry up, but now, as the sand extraction starts, we can't farm anymore. Our land is being ruined, and roads are also getting damaged. We're financially suffering, and whenever we try to speak out, we are threatened. When we complain to the administration, they take no action. If the police and administration are supporting them, where can we go?" they said.
 
Habibur Rahman Habib, the convener of Pabna District BNP, commented, "This has been going on for a long time. Maybe it's happening locally now, but it's not part of our organizational activity. Why make such a fuss about it? Wasn't sand extraction happening during the Awami League's time? Why didn’t the journalists report on that?"
 
When approached about the situation, Jahangir Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Pabna, acknowledged the issue, saying, "I've just learned about this through your report and from a couple of other sources. We’ve instructed the Upazila Nirbahi Officers to take necessary actions. They have already conducted a few mobile court operations, and more will continue."
 
Pabna's Police Superintendent, Mortoza Ali Khan, denied any involvement in the illegal activities. He said, "These are just local people's claims. You should contact the district commissioner or the river police for these issues. They are the ones handling the operations. If the district administration requests police force for raids, we will provide it. But to my knowledge, sand extraction is not happening as it did before."

END/SR/SMA/