Sand extraction: Armed men fire 50 rounds of bullets at locals amid resistance

Around 50 rounds of bullets were fired allegedly by local criminal gangs targeting locals who were resisting illegal sand extraction near the Meghna riverbank in Munshiganj's Gazaria today (27 February).

The incident occurred near the riverbank adjacent to the upazila's power plant area around 10:45am.

"We have confirmed that the firing at locals did take place. Multiple individuals have reported the incident to me," Gazaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Anwar Alam Azad told The Business Standard.

"I have notified the river police, and efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible," the OC added.

Meanwhile, one person was injured after jumping from a boat to save his life from the line of fire. Locals also seized a dredger used for the extraction.

Palash, 35, the injured person and an eyewitness, told TBS that due to illegal sand extraction, over a hundred bighas of land have already been eroded by the river.

"Today, some unidentified individuals were extracting sand near the Meghna riverbank with several dredgers. At that time, several identified local criminals, including Mannan, Lalu, Saikat, Babu, and Amjad, were patrolling with an engine-powered trawler. When locals tried to stop them, they started firing at the locals. They fired approximately 17 rounds," he said.

Palash further said, "To save myself from the bullets, I jumped from the boat into the river and got injured. Later, when locals surrounded the criminals, another group of local criminals arrived with a trawler and fired 30-35 rounds at the locals to rescue the surrounded criminals.

"During this time, the agitated locals seized a dredger named Anas Bin Zubair Dredging Project," he added.

Despite multiple attempts, Gazaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ashraful Alam could not be reached.

Regarding the matter, Superintendent of Police Alamgir Hossain of the Narayanganj River Police said, "I am not aware of the matter. I will look into it."