Joint forces – in an overnight drive on Thursday – recovered 12,000 cubic feet of looted stones from Bholaganj- Sada Pathor tourist area in Sylhet, amid public outcry over rampant looting of stones from the iconic tourist spot.
Besides, several trucks involved in transporting the looted stones were seized during the operation.
The joint forces launched the drive in Sylhet city and Bholaganj on Wednesday midnight to recover the looted stones, said Companiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Azizunnahar. A six-member team conducted raids in different areas.
A drive will be conducted again on Thursday under the supervision of an executive magistrate. The crackdown will continue until all looted stones are recovered.
UP chairman arrested
Police have arrested Purbo Islampur Union Parishad Chairman Alamgir Hossain Alam in connection with the theft of stones from Sada Pathor, a popular tourist spot in Companiganj upazila of the district.
Alam was arrested around 5am on Thursday from Companiganj, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) Uzair Al Mahmud Adnan of Companiganj Police Station.
He was arrested in a joint drive by the district administration and law enforcement agencies that began Wednesday midnight to recover stolen stones from the area.
Committee to submit report Sunday
On August 12, the local administration formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the matter. On Wednesday evening, they held an emergency meeting and outlined several decisions to restore and protect Sada Pathor tourist zone.
Later that night, the interim government started the joint operation to recover the looted stones taken from Sada Pathor tourist spot.
Several checkpoints were also set up on Sylhet-Bholaganj Road near Osmani International Airport and in front of Sylhet Club. The joint force team intercepted several trucks transporting these stones.
The unprecedented looting of stones from this protected tourist site has triggered outrage and concerns among people and environmental activists.
The inquiry committee is scheduled to submit its report by Sunday (August 17). Besides, an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) team also launched its own investigation and visited the Sada Pathor site on Wednesday.