Administrative attempts reduce illegal pond digging at Bagmara

BAGMARA, RAJSHAHI, June 20: The administrative drives have reduced illegal pond digging on three-crop lands in Bagmara Upazila of the district. 

According to the upazila administration sources, a total of 18 drives were conducted last May, when the administration destroyed 12 excavators, jailed 2 people for 1 month each and imposed fines of different amounts.

A drive was conducted near the Jamidar Bari on the north side of the Machmail Bazar in Shubhodanga Union of the upazila last May 31 on the basis of a tip-off that an organised gang had been cutting and selling topsoil for a long time, and on the basis of allegations that crops were being damaged and soil transportation was making local roads unusable. During the mobile court operation, a bulldozer used for cutting soil was rendered useless on the spot. In addition, the mobile court sentenced one Md Sirajul Islam Shakil, 26, to one month’s imprisonment. 

Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Saiful Islam Bhuiyan conducted the operation. He said, “We are conducting regular operations to protect three-crop lands. Our goal is to stop the illegal pond digging on such lands.”

Meanwhile, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Selim Ahmed and AC (Land) Saiful Islam Bhuiyan conducted a drive in the Dayar Ghat area of Basupara Union late at night on May 5. At that time, no one could be arrested. However, a digging machine and a soil transportation truck used for pond digging were rendered useless on the spot.

When asked about this, the pond diggers refused to talk.

UNO Selim Ahmed said, “Illegal pond digging will not be allowed in any way on three-crop lands. The administration is committed to taking maximum action in this connection.”