Sand lifting from Ghaghot in Rangpur going on

RANGPUR, Jan 29: Sand lifting from Ghaghot river under Damdama Lakhkhonpara area of Rangpur city is going on unabated, causing serious risk for the river bank, nearby establishments and cultivable lands.

According to the locals, a section of unscrupulous people are engaged with the act for a long time.

They alleged that the sand traders are doing this illegal practice in collusion with some influential local political leaders and dishonest officials in the administration.

Locals urged the authorities concerned to take adequate measures to stop the practice in order to protect the area and its adjacent areas from erosion.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found some Shallow machines lifting sand from the river. The lifters stack the extracted sand nearby area and trucks take it to different areas.

Sirajul, a resident of the area said he lost 35 decimals of land due to river erosion last year caused by sand lifting from the Ghaghot.

A number of residents including Sagir Hossain,Abdur Razzak and Mofazzol Hossain of the area said they were compelled to shift their houses fearing erosion. Many people are passing days in anxiety, they added.

UNO Ziaur Rahman said he has been informed of the matter. Necessary steps will be taken soon to stop lifting of sand from the river in the area. They will also take stern action against the culprits who are involved in such illegal act, he added.

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