August 20, 2025
DHAKA – A case has been filed over the recent large-scale looting of stones from Jaflong, an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA), in Sylhet’s Gowainghat upazila.
Monayem Hossain, an officer of the Purbo Jaflong Union Land Office, lodged the case with Gowainghat Police Station on Monday night, accusing 100 to 150 unidentified individuals, said Tofayel Ahmed, officer-in-charge of the station.
According to the case statement, around 40,000 cubic feet of stones were illegally removed from Jaflong during heavy rainfall between 1:00am and 4:00am from August 7 to 9.
No arrests have so far been made, the OC said.
This development comes just days after widespread reports of stone plundering at Sada Pathor in Companiganj upazila, another major tourist attraction in Sylhet.
On Friday, the Bureau of Mineral Development (BMD) filed a case against 1,500 unidentified individuals for looting stones from Sada Pathor. Police have so far arrested five.
Meanwhile, Sylhet divisional commissioner reversed the decision to transfer Fenchuganj upazila nirbahi officer to Companiganj upazila. In a fresh circular yesterday, Habiganj’s Chunarughat UNO, Md Robin Miah, was posted as Companiganj UNO.
On Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad was transferred and made an officer on special duty (OSD), and Companiganj UNO Azizunnahar was transferred to Fenchuganj Upazila.
The joint task force yesterday recovered an estimated 20,000 cubic feet of looted stones in the Sreepur area of Jaintiapur upazila.
Jaintiapur UNO George Mitra Chakma led the drive and recovered another 28,000 cubic feet of sand. The stone was dumped into the Rangpani river at the site from where it had been taken, and the sand was sold at auction.