Sylhet: About 17 lakh cubic feet of stones have so far been replaced in the Sada Pathor tourist spot in Companiganj, while approximately 30 lakh cubic feet of looted stones have been seized till Tuesday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Companiganj UNO Mohammad Robin Mia reported that about 30 lakh cubic feet of looted stones have been seized from different locations in Sylhet as of Tuesday. He added that approximately 17 lakh cubic feet of stone have been replaced at the Sapadhar tourist spot, including 50,000 cubic feet in a single day on Tuesday.
Additionally, 13.4 lakh cubic feet of stone are reserved for replacement at the designated dumping stand. The authorities have also seized 1,08,091 cubic feet of broken stones from the Dhopagul crushing zone in Sylhet Sadar and Mohammadpur area in Jaflong, Gowainghat.
The Bureau of Mineral Resources Development (BMD) has planned to auction these stones. Of the total, 61,900 cubic feet of broken stone were recovered from the Dhopagul area, and 46,191 cubic feet from the Mohammadpur area. A circular regarding the auction, signed by BMD Director (Deputy Secretary) Ahsan Uddin Murad, was issued on Sunday.
The circular stated that the broken stones will be auctioned on Thursday, and participation is open to all. Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam confirmed that the BMD has initiated the auction process for the seized broken stones and that the replacement of recovered intact stones is ongoing.