Nine dredgers burnt in Tangail

A mobile court on Sunday destroyed nine dredgers while those were in operation in illegal sand lifting from two water bodies in Singna and Razafair areas in Kalihati upazila of the district.

Local people alleged that a number of influential people have been continuing illegal sand lifting with dredgers from the bed of the two water bodies for the last eight years, destroying the environment as well as posing threat to the nearby lands and other structures.

Receiving complaints from the locals, the court led by Kalihati Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahina Akter, also the executive magistrate, went to the spot and seized nine machines, locally known as 'Bangla Dredgers'.

During the drive, the drivers of the dredgers, however, managed to flee the scene, locals said.

The UNO later ordered to destroy the sand extractor machines which had been used for illegal sand lifting for years.

UNO Shahina said after receiving complaints from the locals, she along with Kalihati assistant commissioner (land) conducted the drive under the Balu Mohal O Mati Babosthapona Ain, 2010 (Sand Fields and Soil Management Act, 2010) and found the dredgers lifting sand from Singna Kumri Beel and Razafair Beel.

"As none of the dredger owners were available on the spots, I ordered to destroy the illegal machines by setting those on fire,” the UNO said.

They launched the drive to create awareness among the local people, she said, adding, such drives will continue against the illegal business in future.