Sand lifting from Atai River in Khulna goes unabated

A dredger lifts sand from Atai River in Digholia upazila of Khulna district, leading to river erosion, much to the fear of adjacent villagers.Photo: STAR

Sand lifting from the Atai River in Digholia upazila of Khulna district threatens homesteads in the area.
Since October 4, three dredgers have continued sand lifting under the supervision of a ruling party leader, who has even ignored the warning of stern action given by the upazila administration in a recent meeting of law and order committee.
Locals alleged that they did not get any response from authorities concerned despite submitting a written petition for stopping sand lifting from the river.
A syndicate of sand lifters headed by a leader of Khulna district Awami League is doing the unscrupulous act, several locals said, adding that sand-laden cargo vessels are transported to Khulna Skidghat from where it is sold to customers for wholesale prices.
A young man of Hajigram village told this correspondent that Chairman of Senhati Union Parishad of Digholia upazila Gazi Abdul Halim, who is also publicity secretary of Khulna district Awami League, is ringleader of the syndicate of sand lifters.
The young man earnestly requested not to disclose his name as he fears reprisal from musclemen of the UP chairman.
Several residents of Hajigram and Senhati villages including Siddique Sheikh, Tabibar Rahman, Hasan Gazi and Rahmat Sheikh said river erosion caused by random sand lifting is threatening their homesteads.
Villagers, however, are not in a position to make any protest as some influential leaders of the ruling party are involved in the 'dangerous business'.
When contacted, Gazi Abdul Halim flatly denied the allegation of sand lifting against him, saying that it was done during the rule of previous four-party alliance government.
"Sand lifting does not cause erosion by river. It happens due to high tides and strong crosscurrents. Experts can say if there is any connection between sand lifting and river erosion," he said.
Admitting the incidents of sand lifting, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Digholia upazila Md Khairuzzaman said, "Nobody was given permission to lift sand from the Atai River. I have asked the police to arrest the alleged sand lifters and seize the dredgers for taking legal action."