Allegations of large-scale sand extraction from a char of the Manu River have triggered controversy in Kulaura, with residents claiming nearly Tk3 crore worth of sand has been removed despite the lease being given in another person’s name.
Locals say sand has been cut from Dhalia char near the Rajapur Bridge in Prithimpassa Union and transported by trucks and heavy vehicles, with part of it used in the approach road construction of the bridge.
They allege the government has been deprived of substantial revenue.
On-site visits to Dhalia char adjacent to Rajapur Bridge found sand being loaded onto trucks, while residents said extraction has continued day and night across vast stretches of char land in Alinagar and Uparbhag mouzas.
For the current year, the Manu River sand quarry has been leased to Nazmun Nahar Lipi, wife of Selim Ahmed, general secretary of Satiyajuri Union Jubo League in Chunarughat Upazila of Habiganj.
Previously, the lease was held by Prithimpassa resident Dipak De.
Although not the current leaseholder, Dipak De is alleged to have established business ties with the present lessee and exercised de facto control over the sand quarry.
Several residents, requesting anonymity, claimed more than Tk3 crore worth of sand has been extracted and sold from Dhalia char over the past year.
They alleged that individuals linked to Dipak De and a contracting firm owned by Jamil Iqbal were involved.
Residents further alleged that during the previous Awami League administration, Dipak De used his connections with senior local and district leaders to continue illegal extraction, and that even after 5 August he has invoked names of political figures to continue lifting sand from beneath the Rajapur and Kotarkona bridges.
Despite multiple administrative drives and fines totalling more than Tk10 lakh, locals claim the operations have not stopped.
They also alleged that heavy sand-laden vehicles are damaging the river protection embankment.
Prithimpassa resident and student leader Faizul Haque said vegetable cultivation had once flourished across the char, but the land is now scarred.
He alleged that sand is being lifted within one kilometre of the bridge on both sides, in violation of land management and river protection laws, and called for urgent administrative intervention to safeguard the bridge and embankment.
Residents also claimed that sand is being removed from privately owned char land in Alinagar and Uparbhag mouzas and transported for various uses, including road construction.
Responding to the allegations, contracting firm manager Akaid Hossain said the company was purchasing sand legally for road work.
“Dipak De is supplying the sand. How he sources it is not our concern. If there is any irregularity, the administration will look into it,” he said.
Accused trader Dipak De said he was extracting sand in accordance with the rules, but admitted that “sometimes, due to financial pressures, there may be deviations, and when the administration conducts drives, fines have to be paid”.
On allegations of illegal lifting from the river char, he said some local landowners might be selling sand.
Asked about extraction beyond the leased area, he said if he were caught lifting sand illegally from under Rajapur Bridge, he would face punishment, adding that “if not caught, the sand will be sold”.
Kulaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mohiuddin said no sand could be extracted from the Manu River char without permission.
He said the matter had been referred to the Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board and the Assistant Commissioner Land had been directed to take necessary steps.
Bangladesh Water Development Board Moulvibazar Executive Engineer Md Khaled Bin Olid said sand quarries are leased out by the district administration and that any extraction outside the leased area would be dealt with in accordance with the law by the upazila and district authorities.
The allegations have raised broader questions over regulatory enforcement, environmental risks and the long-term safety of river infrastructure in the area.
