The investigation committee formed by the Cabinet Division against the backdrop of widespread looting of stones from Sadapathar and Railway Bunker area at Bholaganj under Companiganj in Sylhet said on Wednesday that the final report of the committee would be submitted as soon as possible.
Members of the committee said this after a public hearing over the extensive damage to the atmosphere and natural resources caused by illegal extraction of stones from the popular tourist destination Sadapathar and Railway Bunker.
Meanwhile, a mobile court sentenced a man to one-month non-rigorous imprisonment on charges of looting stones, Jaintapur police station officer-in-charge ABM Badruzzaman told 抖阴精品.
The probe committee convener, Zaheda Parvin, also Cabinet Division secretary (coordination and reforms), presided over the public hearing held at the Sylhet Circuit House. The other members of the committee were also present.聽
The issue of the administration鈥檚 inaction in stone looting, blaming each other by different quarters to avoid responsibility and longstanding irregularities came up at the public hearing.
Top officials of the local administration, including Sylhet divisional commissioner, deputy commissioner, police superintendent attended the programme.
Besides, representatives from the Department of Environment, Truck Transport Owners Association, Stone Traders Association, environment rights organisations and journalist organisations also spoke at the public hearing.
Earlier on Tuesday, five members of the committee led by its convener inspected the Sadapathar tourist spot and talked to the local stakeholders.
The Cabinet Division formed the committee on August 20 to probe the widespread looting of stones from Sadapathar and Railway Banker at the Bholaganj area under Companiganj, asking the committee to submit its report within 10 days.
Sylhet deputy commissioner Md Sarwoer Alam on Tuesday evening issued a government order strictly prohibiting illegal extraction, transport and sale of stones and sand in Sylhet in order to avoid natural disasters and damage to tourist areas.
According to environment rights activists and local people, more than 20 million cubic feet of stones were looted from the Sadapathar tourist spot and Railway Banker at Bhulaganj area under the Companiganj upazila since the fall of the authoritarian Hasina regime on August 5 past year.
About 26 lakh cubic feet of stones looted from the tourist spot Sadapathar were recovered till Tuesday afternoon.
Local people alleged that unscrupulous people having political connections looted stones and sand from different places in Sylhet.
Jaintapur police station officer-in-charge ABM Badruzzaman told 抖阴精品 that the district administration led by an executive magistrate conducted a drive in the afternoon on Wednesday in Asaampara area at Jaintapur upazila and recovered 5,000 cubic feet of looted stones from the possession of Abdul Alim, 42, of the area.聽聽
鈥楲ater, the executive magistrate operated a mobile court and sentenced Abdul Alim to one-month non-rigorous imprisonment on charges of looting the stones,鈥� the police official said, adding that the convicted person would be sent to jail on Thursday morning.
