Dredger rattles as evening falls, sand looting continues unchecked

The area remains largely quiet during the day. As soon as evening falls, the sound of dredgers begins. Sand extraction from streams and its removal by truck continues throughout the night. Local residents have alleged that sand extraction and smuggling are continuing in this manner in Amtali, Dhuillya, and Gururloda villages of the East Chambi area under Aziznagar Union in Lama Upazila of Bandarban.

They claim that more than 30 dredgers have been deployed at 12 points across an area of about one kilometer to extract sand. Every day, two to three hundred trucks and dumpers are carrying this sand to various areas.

Local residents allege that four to five organized gangs from Lohagara Upazila in neighboring Chattogram are involved in sand extraction and transportation. Members of these groups, who move around on motorcycles, stage drills in the area carrying domestic weapons. Between 15 and 20 local people are also involved with them. Out of fear, no one dares to protest.

During a recent on-site visit to Amtali, Dhuillya, and Gururloda areas, sand piles and sand extraction using dredgers were seen at several locations. To the east of the house of Amtali village UP member Saiyadur Rahman, sand was being extracted from the Dolu canal using three dredgers. Sand transportation by truck was also underway from there. On the western side of the village, near Dr. Mohsin's house and the area adjacent to the mosque, there are two more sand extraction points.

Dredgers have also been set up to extract sand behind Mostafa Nagar at the confluence of the Dolu and Gururloda canals. Several local people claim that at least 40 trucks of sand were removed from that location last Friday morning.

Large piles of sand were seen at three points beside the house of former UP member Haris Mia of Gururloda village. Local people claim that three to four lakh cubic feet of sand have been stockpiled there. Sand extraction is also continuing day and night at three points in the Dhuillya canal.

Local residents say that this sand is being taken to Lohagara and Satkania Upazilas. Although sand extraction has been going on for several years, its scale has increased massively over the past two years. Previously, sand was extracted at two to three points; now it has spread to 12 points. They allege that due to the lack of effective action by the administration, the sand extractors have become more reckless. Many claim that this business is running by managing the administration.

Meanwhile, uncontrolled sand extraction has caused erosion on the banks of the Dolu, Gururloda, and Dhuillya canals. Local people claim that houses and farmland have already been swallowed by river and canal erosion. Abdul Awal and Delwar Hossain, residents of Amtali village, said that the deafening noise of the dredgers makes it difficult to work during the day. It is also impossible to sleep at night due to the noise. They are living in fear of erosion.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Lama Police Station Kaichar Hamid said that illegal sand extraction will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Police will cooperate if the Upazila Administration takes action in this regard.

Although phone calls were made to the Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Lama, and the Bandarban office of the Department of Environment to seek their comments, no statements could be obtained.