BNP Sylhet unit suspends Companiganj Upazila president over extortion allegations

BNP has suspended all party positions of Shahab Uddin, president of the Companiganj Upazila BNP in Sylhet, following allegations of involvement in large-scale stone looting at Sada Pathor, a major tourist site in Sylhet.

The decision was announced in a press release signed by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi last night (11 August).

The BNP press release states, "Based on clear allegations of being involved in extortion, land grabbing, and other immoral activities that are against the ideals and policies of the BNP, all posts of Companiganj upazila BNP President Shahab Uddin have been suspended. Haji Abdul Mannan, the vice-president of the Companiganj upazila BNP, has been nominated as the acting president in his place. This decision will remain in effect until further notice."

Notably, following the change of power on 5 August last year, looting reportedly intensified at Sada Pathor and other stone quarries in Sylhet, with BNP leaders accused of being among those involved.

A recent flash flood in the hills left a large accumulation of stones at the source of the Dhalai River, locally known as Sada Pathor. Since then, daily extraction by hundreds of boats has been reported, along with sand and soil removal from riverbanks.

The unregulated activity has left much of the area stripped of its natural resources.

Shahab Uddin was alleged to have been involved in the looting from the outset.

However, no action had been taken until recent photos and videos of the activities went viral on Facebook, prompting public criticism.