SHARIATPUR, June 28: Allegations have been found that an influential group is lifting sand from the Padma River in Char Atra and Naopara areas of Naria Upazila of the district by installing hundreds of dredgers and selling it to different districts of the country.
This has put thousands of people’s houses and river protection dams under threat of further erosion. However, the upazila administration has permitted to lift sand following their demands and rules and regulations.
According to the complaints of the locals, thousands of them are living an uncertain life due to the sand lifting at about 50 places. Local residents- Abdul Awal Chowkidar and Saidur Rahman of Bashtala area in the upazila said, “If illegal sand lifting is not stopped soon, the river will further erode all their belongings.”
Kashem Siddique, a resident of Ward No. 2 of Naopara Union, said, “An influential group is lifting sand from the Padma Riverbed using party influence and selling it. As a result, we are likely to face erosion again.”
However, the sand lifters claim that they are lifting sand legally through government tenders.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum did not agree to talk on this issue.
In this connection, Naria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abdul Qaiyum Khan said, “According to the policy, a lease has been given for sand lifting. If any irregularities are found, legal action will be taken.”
Executive Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Shariatpur Khan Mohammad Waliuzzaman said, “Sand lifting from the river can be harmful or beneficial. The matter needs to be studied. However, if someone lifts sand illegally, it is the responsibility of the district administration to stop it.”
Meanwhile, recently, the Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad and MP from Shariatpur-3 Constituency Nuruddin Ahmed Apu has launched a river erosion prevention programme by throwing sand-filled bags into the river in Kodalpur of Gosairhat Upazila in the southern part of the district. In response to a question from reporters after the programme was inaugurated, he said, “We have a separate organisation for river management. We have BWDB responsible for river management; we have BIWTA, they will do it.” There is no other way to lift sand outside of this. The locals have demanded that effective measures be taken immediately to stop the lifting of sand.
