Demanding intervention of local authorities, people of three villages formed a human chain yesterday, demanding a stop to soil extraction from a graveyard in Dinajpur's Phulbari upazila.

The protestors also submitted a letter to Phulbari upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) in this regard.

Around 200 people from three villages -- Basudebpur, Nurpur and Dadpur -- formed the hour-long human chain near the graveyard at Basudebpur village.

They said residents of these villages have been using the graveyard for the burial rites for many years. However, a local influential, Mosaraf Hossain, is allegedly extracting soil from the graveyard for filling his pond.

A part of the graveyard is currently in no condition for even a single burial.

"We warned him on multiple occasions, but he did not pay any heed to us," alleged the protestors.

Monjil Morshed, Abdur Rahman, Bablu Mia Md Azim Uddin, Azgar Ali, Mizanur Rahman and Mojid Mondal were among the speakers.

Contacted, Mosaraf Hossain claimed the land of the graveyard belongs to him.

Phulbari UNO Riaz Uddin said he received the residents' letter. "Action will be taken after investigating the matter."