Illegal Stone Lifting: Another worker dies in Sylhet

At least one worker was killed and two others were injured in a landslide while illegally cutting Shah Arefin Tila to extract stones in Sylhet's Companiganj upazila yesterday around 6:00pm, said police.

Deceased Anisur Rahman, 40, was the son of Komor Uddin of Ahmedabad of Sunamganj sadar upazila.

Injured Abdul Gafur, 35, son of Waris Miah of Irsharchar of Sunamganj sadar, and Mizanur Rahman, 28, son of Samsu Miah of Lohachara Anwarpur village of Tahirpur upazila, are undergoing treatment at Chhatak Upazila Health Complex.

Police arrested one Abdul Kadir, 35, of Bholaganj area alleging he had employed the three.

A similar incident on the hillock on January 23 left at least two workers dead and several others injured.

Companiganj Police Station's officer-in-charge, Baes Alam, was closed to Sylhet Police Lines yesterday evening following recommendation of a probe body formed over the January 23 incident, said Additional Superintendent of Police (media) Sugyan Chakma.

No case has been filed. Cutting of hills and stone extraction is prohibited in the area.

A local government representative, seeking anonymity, alleged that the illegal practice was taking place after dark to avoid detection.