Rajshahi, Oct 29 (V7N) – Several leaders and activists affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal have been accused of illegally extracting and selling sand from the Padma River in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi, with allegations that around 5 million cubic feet of sand worth approximately Tk 5 crore has been removed over the past two months.
Although the district administration has leased a designated sand quarry, sand is allegedly being extracted by dredgers from at least three locations outside the leased area. The activities have raised concerns over lost government revenue and possible damage to riverbanks and embankments.
According to local residents, sand is being extracted from several points along the Padma River about five kilometres from the leased Laxminagar sand quarry. The sand is then transported and stockpiled for sale at at least 10 locations across Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna and Kushtia.
Several local political figures have been named in connection with the alleged operation. However, some of those accused have denied involvement in illegal extraction, while others have acknowledged participating in the sand business but rejected allegations of wrongdoing.
The allegations emerged from an on-site investigation by Jugantor, statements from people involved in the business and accounts provided by local residents. The report also said video footage and photographs of the sand extraction had been preserved.
Those named in the allegations include Bagha Upazila BNP Convener Fakhrul Hasan Bablu, former member secretary Ashraf Ul Daula, Rajshahi District Chhatra Dal Convener SM Salahuddin Ahmed Shamim Sarkar, former Bagha Upazila Jubo Dal Convener Jewel Khan, businessman Sajal Khan and Pakuria Union BNP General Secretary Kader Molla. The comments of all those named were not available.
Dredgers Operating Near the Embankment
During a visit to the Madrasah Ghat area of Kishorpur on Tuesday afternoon, two dredgers and five large boats used to transport sand were seen in operation, according to the report. Two more dredgers were extracting sand from the river about 2.5 kilometres away.
Four additional dredgers and boats carrying sand were reportedly heading towards the ghat. Some turned back after noticing the presence of journalists, the report said.
Sand was being pumped from boats through iron pipes to a location about one kilometre away in Kishorpur, beside the Padma River embankment. Several large piles of sand were visible there, including sand stored on the newly constructed embankment. Local residents said the stockpiled sand was being sold from the site.
Kader Molla, general secretary of Pakuria Union BNP, and local Jubo Dal leader Zakaria Sultan were present at the site. Kader Molla said they purchased sand from leaseholder Arfan Mia at Tk 3 per cubic foot and sold it for Tk 10 per cubic foot. He claimed they had receipts for their purchases.
Kader Molla also alleged that Shamim Sarkar and businessman Sajal Khan controlled the ghat and claimed that Fakhrul Hasan Bablu, Shamim Sarkar and Sajal Khan had joint interests in the business. He further named Ashraf Ul Daula, Jewel Khan and several others as alleged partners. These claims could not be independently verified.
According to Kader Molla, sand is being stockpiled and sold at locations including Kishorpur, Gokulpur, Morshedpur, Chakrajapur, Lalpur in Natore, the area near Pakshi Bridge in Pabna and parts of Kushtia.
Shamim Sarkar did not respond to repeated phone calls made on Thursday and Friday seeking his comment. Sajal Khan acknowledged providing money to several local people for business purposes but denied involvement in sand extraction.
Jewel Khan confirmed that he was involved in the sand business, saying they bought sand from the leaseholder. He denied illegally extracting sand or paying any group to control the operation.
Fakhrul Hasan Bablu said his and his party’s names were being used without his knowledge. He denied involvement in illegal activities and said such operations should be stopped.
Ashraf Ul Daula acknowledged that dredgers were being used to extract sand illegally but denied his own involvement. He said local lawmaker Abu Sayeed Chand had called several people involved and instructed them to stop extracting sand.
Sand Stockpiles Found at Other Locations
Sand piles were also found at Taher’s Ghat in neighbouring Gokulpur, where two dredgers were present. However, the operators, identified as Alamgir Hossain and Babu, denied extracting sand from the Padma River and did not provide a clear explanation for the presence of the dredgers.
Local residents also alleged that Nazmul Haque, joint convener of the Rajshahi District Swechchhasebak Dal, was involved in sand extraction in the area. Haque said he held an 18 per cent stake in the business with leaseholder Arfan Mia but claimed he was being deprived of his share because of influential local political figures. He said he had tried to buy and sell sand following requests from local party activists but had been unable to do so.
Residents also reported alleged sand extraction near Shimultala in Khayerkhat. They claimed that Chhatra Dal leader Shamim Sarkar and Shafi, a former member secretary of Bagha Upazila Jubo Dal, were extracting sand with their associates. The allegations could not be independently verified, and comments from everyone named were not available.
Arfan Mia, proprietor of Messrs Sifat Enterprise, which holds the lease for the sand quarry, alleged that an influential group was selling sand using receipts bearing his company’s name. He said he had submitted written complaints to the district and upazila administrations several times.
Arfan Mia said he had paid Tk 7 crore to obtain the lease and was suffering financial losses because of the alleged illegal extraction outside the designated area. He called for effective administrative action to stop the practice.
Resident Alleges Threats Over Protest
Concern is growing among residents living near the Padma River over the potential impact of sand extraction on riverbanks and embankments.
On October 5, student Ratul Hasan of Gokulpur submitted a written complaint to the Bagha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), alleging that sand extraction was increasing the risk of erosion along the riverbank and nearby embankment.
Ratul also alleged that Kader Molla and his associates had threatened him with death and subjected him to intimidation after he protested against the extraction. He further claimed that efforts to organise a human chain had been obstructed. Ratul said he feared for his safety.
The allegations require investigation, and legal responsibility would need to be established through the appropriate process.
Bagha UNO Taki Faisal Talukder said evidence of illegal sand extraction had been found. He said those involved moved away when the administration attempted to conduct a mobile court operation and that preparations were under way to file a regular case.
He rejected allegations that the administration had been inactive.
Abhijit Sarkar, senior assistant commissioner and member secretary of the Rajshahi District Sand Quarry Management Committee, said the local administration had been instructed to take necessary action.
“There is no scope for extracting sand outside the boundaries of a leased sand quarry. Strict action will be taken if such incidents occur,” he said.
END/MRA/SMA/
