The government has formed a high-level expert committee to facilitate the limited re-leasing of stone quarries in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, with strict adherence to environmental protection and existing laws, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said.
On Thursday, the home minister briefed journalists following a meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs on the current status and necessary actions regarding stone and sand-mixed stone quarries in the Sylhet division.
The committee, convened by the Sylhet Divisional Commissioner, will include the deputy commissioners of Sylhet and Sunamganj, representatives from the Department of Environment, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB), a professor from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), and a director from the Ministry of Mineral Resources.
Additionally, the superintendents of police from both districts have been included to maintain law and order, the minister said.
The home minister said the committee will conduct on-site inspections to examine water barricades caused by siltation in border rivers, review the risk of border changes due to river erosion, and provide technical advice on the permissible depth and methods for stone extraction without harming the environment.
The committee will also ensure the protection of tourist spots such as Bichanakandi, Sada Pathor and Bholaganj.
The home minister noted that areas declared as ‘Ecologically Critical Areas’ (ECA), such as Jaflong, will remain excluded from leasing.
After receiving the committee’s report by the end of this month, a final decision will be made in the first week of June. Furthermore, initiatives will be taken through the Ministry of Law to expedite the disposal of pending cases in the High Court regarding this matter, he added.
Responding to a question about the country’s current law and order situation, the home minister said, “Since the elected political government took office, it has been possible to restore the police force to a disciplined state.”
“According to a government policy decision, the army will not be kept in the field indefinitely for law enforcement. A decision has been made to withdraw the Army in phases through coordination between the police, army and relevant agencies,” he said.
Regarding the ongoing special operation against extortionists and “godfathers”, the minister made it clear that no one is above the law. Joint and individual operations are being conducted based on specific lists.
Drug dealers, terrorists and those with illegal arms are being arrested, and their punishments are being ensured through summary courts, he said.
He assured that there is visible progress in this operation, and the nation will soon feel its full impact.
