Policy for traditional stone and sand extraction in focus

Speakers at a discussion have called for the immediate reopening of all stone quarries and sand fields in the Sylhet region, stressing the need for restoring the livelihoods for thousands of workers affected by the prolonged closure of these sites, reports UNB.

The discussion, organised by Pathor Sramic Bachao Andolon, Sylhet, was held on Sunday at the Jatiya Press Club on Sunday.

Addressing the event, Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, Senior Naib-e-Ammer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, highlighted the plight of those engaged in stone and sand extraction, as well as associated sectors including transportation and crusher machine operation.

He said the livelihoods of these workers have been severely impacted by the suspension of extraction activities in the greater Sylhet area, leading to widespread hardship.

Karim alleged that while the government has halted sand and stone extraction on the Bangladeshi side, Indian traders are actively extracting these resources just across the border, putting local workers at an economic disadvantage.

He criticised the government for reportedly allowing the import of lower-quality Indian stone while local, higher-quality resources remain untapped.

"Through a powerful syndicate, the government has imported approximately $5 billion worth of stone and sand from India," Faizul Karim claimed, adding that these imports have allegedly led to significant capital flight.

Abdul Hossain, the member secretary of Pathor Sramic Bachao Andolon, Sylhet, presented a report at the meeting outlining the current state of the sector.

He explained that the closure of the quarries in areas such as Jaflong, Bholaganj, Bichanakandi, Sripur and Lovachara over the past seven years has left approximately one million traders and workers in a state of financial distress, with many facing "silent famine" conditions due to the loss of income.

Speakers at the discussion included Alamgir Mohiuddin, editor of Daily Naya Diganta, as well as several prominent journalists and labour leaders.

They collectively voiced concern about the significant socio-economic impact of the quarry closures and urged immediate policy action to resume traditional stone and sand extraction in the region.

As the affected communities await a response, the speakers called for policies that would safeguard local livelihoods while promoting sustainable resource extraction in the greater Sylhet area.