Sand lifting threatening bridge, dyke protested
Locals under the banner of conscious citizens form a human chain in Gaibandha town yesterday demanding steps to stop extraction of sand and earth from Ghagot River, use of tractors and power tillers for its transport causing damage to the town protection embankment. They also demanded punishment to the offenders who attacked protesters to the illegal acts recently. Photo: STAR
People of Kholahati union in Sadar upazila formed a human chain yesterday protesting illegal sand lifting from Ghagot river. The agitating people said that a gang of sand traders had been lifting soil from Ghagot riverbed and taking away through tractor-trolley. The sand lifting is threatening the railway bridge over the river at Bheramara point and the town protection dyke near the spot. They said that movement of tractors had already damaged the town protection dyke of Water Development Board at several points which will worsen in the coming rainy season. As local people were protesting the illegal lifting of sand and soil, a gang of 20, backed by the sand lifters and led by Dukhu Mia, Abu Taleb, Rafiqul Islam on March 26 evening attacked the protesters with lethal weapons. At least 10 people sustained injuries including Kazi Humayun Kabir Mirza, 58, Altaf Hossain, 61, Babu Mia, 45, Kazi Mithu, 32, Kazi Imran, 22, Raju Mia, 30, Dhala Mia, 25, Anowara Begum, 28, the protesters said. When the injured were taken to Gaibandha Hospital for treatment, the gang launched further attack on the victims, leaving three of them severely injured. They were later taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital in serious condition, they said. Despite filing cases, police are yet to arrest any of the culprits. They are moving freely and threatening the villagers to withdraw cases or face dire consequences, said a number of villagers. The protesters demanded immediate steps to stop illegal lifting of sand from Ghagot river and arrest of the culprits. Meanwhile, peasants from different remote upazilas yesterday morning blocked Gaibandha-Palashbari Road demanding fair price of crops and cut in prices of agricultural input. Organised by Bangladesh Krishak Samity, Gaibandha district unit, they staged the agitation as part of their country-wide programme. During the hour-long programme near the town's rail crossing point, vehicular traffic on both the sides of the road came to a halt, creating a huge traffic jam. Normal movement of traffic restored after the agitators withdrew the programme around noon. The agitating peasants said landless and marginal people were in trouble as prices of crops continued to fall while the prices of agricultural inputs marked gradual rise.
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