Joint forces deployed around the clock to protect stones at Sada Pathor
As per the decision, joint forces will be stationed in the Jaflong Ecologically Critical Area and Sada Pathor 24 hours a day. Police checkpoints in Gowainghat and Companiganj will also operate round-the-clock with joint force support.

In response to the unprecedented large-scale looting of stones from the Sada Pathor area in Sylhet's Companiganj upazila, the district administration has decided to deploy joint forces around the clock to protect the site.
The decision was made yesterday (13 August) at a coordination meeting of the Sylhet district and divisional administration, held at the Sylhet Circuit House with senior officials in attendance. Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad confirmed the measures to TBS.
As per the decision, joint forces will be stationed in the Jaflong Ecologically Critical Area and Sada Pathor 24 hours a day. Police checkpoints in Gowainghat and Companiganj will also operate round-the-clock with joint force support.
The administration will continue drives to shut down illegal stone-crushing machines by disconnecting their electricity supply. All individuals involved in stone theft will be identified, arrested, and brought under the law. Stolen stones will be recovered and returned to their original locations.
The looting had escalated since 5 August last year, following political changes in the country. Initially curbed through the intervention of the administration and the army, the illegal extraction surged again late last month after a large influx of stones flowed down from Meghalaya's hills with the monsoon currents. Since then, thousands of labourers have been extracting stones daily, transporting them by hundreds of boats.
Locals alleged that in just the past 15 days until Monday, stones worth several hundred crores of taka have been stolen. The riverbanks have also been stripped of sand and soil.
On Monday, the BNP's central committee suspended Companiganj upazila BNP President Shahab Uddin from his post on charges of his involvement. He, however, denied the allegations. Several other local BNP leaders are also accused of being involved in the looting.
The district administration formed a three-member investigation committee.
A nine-member investigation team from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Sylhet office visited Sada Pathor yesterday. The ACC team stated that they suspect influential businessmen, high-ranking individuals, and locals may be involved in the extensive looting.
Meanwhile, in a district administration-led dive, 12,000 cubic feet of legally extracted stone were seized yesterday.