Sunamganj: A mobile court has sentenced three persons to 12 days' imprisonment for illegally extracting and transporting sand from the Shantipur River. The convicts were arrested on Thursday along with sand-laden boats from the Jalalpur area of Uttar Bardal Union. The seized boats and sand have been confiscated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the convicts were identified as Faruk Mia (30), son of Musa Mia; Saddam Hossain (35), son of Kitab Ali; and Sohag Mia (30) - all residents of Jalalpur village under Uttar Bardal Union. Locals reported that the trio was caught red-handed while transporting sand by boat. Residents informed police, who later brought them to the police station.
Illegal sand lifting from the Shantipur River has been a long-standing problem in the upazila. Despite several administrative drives, the activity has not been completely stopped. Locals have demanded that the masterminds behind the syndicate be identified and brought under the law.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shahrookh Alam Shantanu stated that drives against irregularities in the upazila will continue. Tahirpur Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Delwar Hossain confirmed that the convicts have been sent to jail.