Drive Against Illegal Sand Extraction in Gowainghat, 3 are Fined Tk 150,000.

Naeem Ahmed, Jaintapur-Gowainghat Sylhet. A task force has conducted a drive against illegal sand extraction in Gowainghat, Sylhet, fining three individuals a total of Tk 150,000. During the operation, two boats used for illegal sand extraction were dismantled and destroyed at the scene. The operation was conducted from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Saturday (September 12) in the New Bhanga Haor, Bichanakandi Zero Point, Goragram and Manorotal Bazar areas of the upazila. The drive was led by Zakaria Hossain, Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate of Gowainghat. During the operation, six people were detained on suspicion of involvement in illegal sand extraction. After verifying statements from the detainees and testimony from local dignitaries, three of them were found not to be directly involved in sand extraction and were released after signing undertakings. The other three were fined Tk 50,000 each, totaling Tk 150,000, under the Sand and Soil Management Act, 2010, for their involvement in illegal sand extraction. At the same time, two boats used in the illegal operation were dismantled and destroyed at the scene. Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police and Ansar also took part in the operation to maintain law and order and assist the task force. After the operation, Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Zakaria Hossain said that strict action against illegal extraction of sand and soil would continue to protect government resources and the environment. “No one will be spared if they violate the law and cause damage to the environment and government resources,” he said. He further said that task force drives and mobile courts would continue in the future with the cooperation of the BGB, police and Ansar.