Local administration involved in Bholaganj stone looting: Rizwana

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has alleged that the local administration was complicit in the looting of white stones in Sylhet's Bholaganj, and called for immediate action against those involved.

The only reason we went to the field in Sylhet was to send a clear message to the looters — that we are watching, she said while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat today (17 August).

"Have you seen any minister go to the site of stone looting in the past 10 or 20 years? Tell me if any minister has ever been attacked while doing so," Rizwana questioned.

She said that the local administration either colluded with the perpetrators or chose to remain silent. You (people) will soon see whether we take action against them.

Addressing the limits of her authority, Rizwana Hasan said, "You have to understand how far advisers can go. We can suggest what statements are made in meetings, but not what plates and glasses are served. We are not here to micromanage. But when we saw that the administration was failing to act effectively, both I and Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan went to the field to encourage them."

She noted that following their visit, an "obscene protest" was staged around their vehicle, for which a political party later suspended or expelled its local leaders. "If there had been strong protests back then, today's situation would have been different," she remarked.

"Better late than never — I thank those who took a strong stand against the looters," Rizwana added.

The adviser clarified that her ministry is not directly responsible for monitoring the volume of stones lifted or looted. "Since I am an environmental activist and also part of the government, I will take responsibility. But do not blame me for the looting of stones," she said.

She also expressed concern about the ongoing legal proceedings. "Now cases are being filed — we must see how many of the actual culprits are being identified and held accountable," she said.

The adviser informed that following their visit, a major three-day operation was conducted, and power to all stone-crushing machines was disconnected.

However, within days, political pressure reversed progress. "All the political parties came together to demand that stone extraction be resumed. Transport owners threatened strikes — this isn't new."

"During the pandemic in 2020, when stone quarrying was stopped, they called two transport strikes, despite the national crisis. If they had real compassion for people, would they strike during a pandemic?"

She added, "At that time, we had vocal support and managed to bring the administration on board. This time, due to political unity in favour of the looters, the administration may have chosen silence. Perhaps they couldn't take the risk."

Rizwana Hasan praised the public for standing up. "Today, the people have shown their power. When people rise against looters, no matter the political support they have, it's the people's strength that will ultimately prevail."