Stone looting in Jaflong: Case filed against 150 unnamed accused
The case statement mentions that between 1am and 4am on 7, 8 and 9 August, at least 40,000 cubic feet of stone were looted from the Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) of Jaflong during heavy rain
A case has been filed over the looting of stones in Jaflong, a popular tourist spot in Sylhet's Gowainghat Upazila, accusing around 150 unidentified individuals.
Gowainghat Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tofayel Ahmed said the case was lodged last night (18 August) by Purba Jaflong union Land Officer Monaem Hossain.
The case statement mentions that between 1am and 4am on 7, 8 and 9 August, at least 40,000 cubic feet of stone were looted from the Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) of Jaflong during heavy rain.
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OC Tofayel said that although the case names 100 to 150 people, no individuals have been specifically identified. He added that no arrests have yet been made.
Earlier, on 13 August, Gowainghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ratan Kumar Adhikari said, "We have continued our operation to recover stones, and so far, we have been able to seize 8,500 cubic feet of stone and re-install them at the Jaflong tourist spot."
According to local sources, open looting of sand and stone has been taking place in Gowainghat's Jaflong and Companiganj's Sada Pathor stone quarry since August last year.
The Bureau of Mineral Development last week filed a case over the looting of Sada Pathor, accusing nearly 2,000 unnamed people.
Police also arrested five individuals on 15 August in connection with stone looting from Sada Pathor.
According to sources, the Department of Environment filed several cases over the incidents, however, no visible progress has been made.
Notably, two BNP leaders from Jaflong, Shah Alam Swapan and Rafiqul Islam Shahparan, were expelled from the party after being accused of involvement in stone looting.
Clashes have also broken out between groups linked to the two leaders over sharing the looted materials.
The ongoing plunder of Jaflong and Sada Pathor has sparked frustration and anger among tourists across the country.
