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Residents protest illegal sand extraction amid Jamuna erosion

Published : Tuesday, 21 July, 2026 at 4:21 PM

Observer correspondent

Residents of Pingna union in Jamalpur's Sarishabari upazila staged a protest on Tuesday against illegal sand extraction from the Jamuna River, alleging that it is accelerating river erosion and putting thousands of riverside residents at risk.

The programme was held around 12:00pm at Gopalganj Hat on the Tarakandi-Bhuapur-Dhaka highway.

Speakers said people in the riverine union suffer from erosion every year, with thousands losing their homes and cropland to the Jamuna over the years. They alleged that illegal sand extraction from the river is continuing unabated, further worsening the erosion.

Locals alleged that an influential group, using the name of the ruling party, is extracting sand with dredging machines at at least 20 locations in the union. They claimed that although the administration occasionally conducts drives, the illegal activity continues.

They said fresh erosion has begun in the Nalsondha and Kathaltala areas, putting the Sarishabari-Tarakandi-Bhuapur-Dhaka highway near Nalin in neighbouring Gopalpur upazila of Tangail at risk. According to the protesters, the road could collapse at any time, disrupting traffic.

The speakers warned that unless sand extraction is stopped, erosion will continue to worsen, threatening the river protection embankment and several important establishments, including Rospal Jame Mosque, Pingna High School, Shamsunnahar Girls' High School, Sujat Ali College, Pingna Bazar, Gopalganj cattle market and the union parishad building.

More than 2,000 people from at least 10 villages, including Pingna, Rospal, Gopalganj, Kawamara, Nalsondha, Ulla and Kumarpara, joined the protest. They warned of tougher programmes if illegal sand extraction is not stopped.

Among those who addressed the gathering were Union Swechchhasebak Dal President Belal Hossain Moynal, Union Jubo Dal President Mizanur Rahman, Rospal Jame Mosque President Abu Sama, General Secretary Mazharul Islam Mukul and Kuli Sramik Union President Abdul Sabur.

JJ/SKS

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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