A writ petition has been filed with the High Court over the large-scale looting of stones from the popular tourist destination of Sada Pathor in Sylhet’s Companiganj upazila, seeking swift action against those responsible and deployment of additional law enforcement personnel in the area.
Supreme Court lawyer Mir AKM Nurun Nabi filed the petition on Thursday (14 August). It calls on the court to direct the relevant government authorities to take immediate steps to stop the looting, strengthen security, and station extra security forces at the site. The writ also requests a rule asking why the inaction of government officials should not be declared unlawful, alongside an order for a full investigation report within 15 days.
The home secretary, environment secretary, inspector general of police, deputy commissioner of Sylhet, and the Companiganj upazila nirbahi officer are among 10 respondents named in the petition.
On Wednesday night, the Sylhet district administration’s coordination meeting adopted a five-point plan to curb stone looting and return stolen stones to their original location. Measures include round-the-clock joint force deployment in Jaflong’s Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) and Sada Pathor, continuous checkpoints in Gowainghat and Companiganj, disconnection of power supply to illegal stone-crushing machines, arrest of those involved, and reinstatement of recovered stones.
Stone extraction from quarries was banned in February 2020. However, locals and tourists allege that administrative inaction and rampant exploitation by influential groups have endangered the natural beauty of Sada Pathor and Sylhet’s quarries, posing a serious threat to both the environment and the tourism industry.