Stop extracting sand from Atrai river: farmers

The farmers of Birganj in Dinajpur demanded that the sand extraction through dredger machines from the bank of Atrai river be stopped immediately to save crops from being harmed near the riverbed.

Around 300 farmers, who earn their livelihood by producing crops at the riverbed, raised the demand at a human chain on Jharbari-Joyganj road in Kheyaghat area yesterday.

The farmers alleged that an influential group has been lifting sand from Boldiapara area under Shatagram union for the last two years as the government leased it to them in 2020.

Eight to ten powerful dredgers have been installed at various places. Besides, heavy trucks are being used throughout the day to transport the extracted sand from the area, they said.

The farmers also demanded cancellation of the lease order to minimise their sufferings.

UP member Md Abdul Salam and famers Abu Bakar Siddique, Abdul Motin and Arshad Ali, among others, spoke at the human chain.

Birganj UNO Zinat Rehana said they will forward a report to the deputy commissioner to take a decision in this regard.