Ousted Swechhasebak League man extracting soil from river bank

An expelled leader of Awami Swechhasebak League has been illegally extracting soil from the bank of Bhairab river in Chaugachha upazila of Jashore district in the middle of the night despite an administrative ban on such activities.

Siddiqur Rahman, the expelled president of Awami Swechhasebak League Patibila village unit, has allegedly been carrying out the illegal act despite being warned by the local administration not to carry out the act.

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Trucks loaded with the soil are being driven through farmlands crashing Robi crops, farmers said.

Farmers of Niamatpur, Ichapur, Muktadaha, Rostampur and Sadipur villages said the clique helmed by Siddiqur intimidated them saying that they were extracting soil 'managing' the administration.

Based on the allegation, the Chaugachha upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) verbally instructed Siddiqur to stop the act immediately.

However, one day after that order, the miscreants started soil extraction by changing the location.

According to the locals, they were first extracting soil from the banks of Bhairab at Niamatpur village in Patibila union of Chaugachha upazila.

Several mobile courts headed by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Kafi Bin Kabir conducted drives but the gang could not be stopped.

On December 20, in response to the complaint of the locals, a team of Chaugachha Police Station seized a dump truck carrying soil. However, police released the driver along with the vehicle after taking an undertaking stating that they would not extract soil anymore, sources said.

Newly-elected UP member of Patibila Union Parishad (UP) Monirul Islam said that soil extraction is going on unabatedly at night.

On the other hand, the vehicles carrying soil are speeding through the village in the middle of the night. The crop fields are also being marred due to the movement of the vehicles, he said

It was seen that the poor drivers were the victims of jail and fines, however, the main culprits remain out of reach, said the UP member.

Ziaur Rahman Rintu, the convener of the Upazila Swechhasebak League, said that Siddiqur was expelled from all the posts of the party as he had extended his support to BNP-backed chairman candidate Ataur Rahman Lal in Patibila UP election held on November 11.

Contacted Siddiqur Rahman said that he stopped soil extraction after being warned by the UNO.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Erufa Sultana said mobile courts will be conducted to prevent the illegal act.

If necessary, regular cases will be filed against the culprits, said the UNO.