Sand, stone traders form human chain

Sand and stone lifters and traders formed a human chain in Sunamganj district town on Wednesday to press home their various demands, including an end to illegal toll collection in lifting sand and stone from the Surman Dhopajan River. District Balu and Pathar Bebosayi and Sramik Samity (sand and stone traders and workers association) organised the human chain programme which was followed by a protest procession at the town’s Traffic Point. Samity president Quamruzzaman Dara, its leaders Zasim Uddin Dilip, local businessman Mohammad Ali Khunsura and president of district unit Sramik League Sirajur Rahman, among others, addressed the human chain. The speakers alleged that a particular group in connivance with some administrative officials is realising additional royalty from the sand and stone lifters in the name of toll. They also announced to stage a protest rally in the town on June 3 unless their demands are met, according to a news agency.