Stone looting: Sylhet DC receives transfer order during visit at Sada Pathor
Sylhet DC made OSD amid criticism, Sarwar Alam appointed as new DC
Former deputy commissioner (DC) of Sylhet, Muhammad Sher Mahbub Murad, has been transferred and made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) amid widespread criticism over the extensive illegal quarrying of stone in the Jaflong and Sada Pathor areas.
The transfer order was issued today (18 August), appointing a well-known magistrate Md Sarwar Alam as the new DC of Sylhet.
He was reportedly visiting the Sada Pathor area this afternoon when news of his transfer reached him.
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The transfer follows a wave of public backlash and criticism regarding the large-scale looting of sand and stone from various quarries in Goainghat and Companiganj Upazilas, including Jaflong and Sada Pathor.
The issue gained national attention, leading to widespread public discussion about the local administration's negligence and failure to prevent the looting.
Additionally, Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan yesterday stated that the local administration was responsible for the stone looting and that action would be taken against them.
Similarly, officials from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) who visited Sada Pathor also noted the local administration's failure to curb the illegal quarrying.
Murad's transfer came just a day after the adviser's statement was made. When contacted, former DC Murad did not respond to phone calls.
Following the DC's transfer, Companiganj's upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Azijunnahar has also been transferred. The UNO, whose jurisdiction includes the Sada Pathor area, has been reassigned to Fenchuganj Upazila in Sylhet today.
Meanwhile, a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration today confirmed the appointment of Md Sarwar Alam as the new DC and District Magistrate of Sylhet.
Sarwar Alam, a BCS (Administration) Cadre official of the 27th batch, was previously a deputy secretary at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
He was allegedly not promoted to the position of deputy secretary under the previous government but received the promotion after the interim government took office. He also served as the private secretary to Adviser Asif Nazrul.
The illegal quarrying has been taking place for a year since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on 5 August last year.
The government had previously stopped issuing leases for stone quarries in 2020 due to environmental concerns, leading to clandestine, illegal extractions that have recently increased dramatically.
