Gopalganj Correspondent
Illegal sand depots along the Gopalganj-Tekerhat regional highway have made life miserable for residents of a nearby government Ashrayan project, amid allegations of harassment, forced displacement and official inaction.
Sand traders are storing sand on the highway and within the Ashrayan project settlement. Sand brought by bulkheads through the adjacent MBR Channel is unloaded at the depots, while trucks, Nasimons and other vehicles pass through the settlement. Blowing sand and vehicle movement have driven many residents from their homes, while some have allegedly been forced to leave.
Residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government had provided them with land and houses, but the illegal depots had made family life unbearable. They also alleged harassment by traders and their workers, including improper behaviour towards women, and said fear of influential traders prevented them from protesting.
Rabiul Sheikh, who operates several depots under the name Tazkia Traders, claimed that he had the necessary documents but refused to show them to journalists, saying they had no authority to inspect the papers.
A local source alleged that Gohala Union Chairman Nazrul Islam Matubbar had collected Tk 1 lakh from each trader to arrange documents purportedly authorising their operations. The source questioned the legality of such permission, saying the highway and Ashrayan project land could not be leased for sand trading.
Nazrul Islam Matubbar denied collecting money from any trader. He said the traders were storing sand, bricks and stone chips on the highway without action from the Roads and Highways Department or the upazila administration.
Abirul Islam, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Muksudpur upazila, said he had received repeated complaints about regulatory violations, highway encroachment and harassment of Ashrayan project residents.
“Despite receiving complaints, they have continued these activities, apparently with influential backing. I cannot stop them alone. I need support from higher authorities to end the illegal sand trade,” he said.
The executive engineer of the Gopalganj Roads and Highways Department said he had recently joined the post and was unaware of the situation. He said businesses must operate at least 30 feet away from the highway and that violations could invite legal action.
“I will look into the matter soon and take appropriate steps,” he said. #EK