School kids at risk as stone lifting continues

Even after Wednesday's accident that killed a worker and injured another, stone extraction has continued at a quarry in Kalairag area of Companyganj upazila under Sylhet, much to the worry of locals, especially the teachers and students of Kalairag Government Primary School.

There are 293 students at the school from pre-primary to Class V but their presence has lessened as the children have to pass through the path near the deep holes of the quarry while going to school and returning home, said Lukes Chandra Das, headmaster of the school.

“We informed Companyganj upazila education office and others concerned of the matter but the authorities didn't take action yet,” said Royes Mia, president of the school managing committee.

A group of illegal stone extractors led by Basid Mia have continued the stone lifting work from the school premises, said a resident of Kalairag area, seeking anonymity.

Visiting the area, this correspondent found several large holes that were created for stone lifting in the school premises.

Basid Mia could not be contacted as his mobile remained off.

“We are passing fear due to holes and landslide,” said Monjur Hosain, a Class IV student of the school.

"We asked the stone extractors to follow the environment laws but they did not pay heed," said Shamim Ahmed, a resident near the school.

Milton Mia, 45, a resident of Hadarpar village near the river in Gowainghat upazila, said they are living there amid fear of landslide due to stone lifting in the area.

Nasrin Jahan Fatema, vice chairman of Companyganj Upazila Parishad, said unplanned stone lifting has created several large holes in the area, posing the risk of landslides that would affect the adjacent primary school and nearby dwellings.

“Despite our awareness campaign, unscrupulous people have continued lifting stones in the river area,” she said.

Saleh Uddin, director of the Department of Environment, said, “We often arrange announcements, warning legal action against unauthorized lifting and sale of stones.

Syed Mohammad Aminur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner of Sylhet, said, “A taskforce regularly conducts drives to stop illegal stone extraction in the quarry areas of Sylhet. More steps will be taken to completely stop illegal stone extraction.”