Illegal Sand Mining in Bangladesh Causes Riverbank Erosion, Outrage

An influential syndicate is illegally extracting sand from the Padma River in the Bharara Union of Pabna Sadar, causing severe riverbank erosion and destroying hundreds of bighas of vital farmland. Local farmers say they face death threats if they attempt to protest.

According to residents, the syndicate operates daily from 3:00 a.m. to noon using six Chinese cutter-suction dredgers near the Jot Kakuria Kalabagan area. Despite a regular police presence in the area, the mining continues unchecked.

Local sources report that sand extracted from the river is loaded onto over a hundred trawlers and transported to nearby districts, generating an estimated 5 to 6 million BDT ($40,000 to $50,000 USD) daily. Residents allege the illicit profits are distributed among corrupt local officials and law enforcement.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, several farmers alleged that armed men guard the dredgers.

"If anyone protests, they threaten to kill us," a local farmer said, adding that repeated complaints to authorities have yielded no results.

Locals linked the illegal operation to a syndicate allegedly controlled by Abdul Alim, an associate of former Member of Parliament Selim Altaf George, alongside Hazrat Ali, former chairman of the Dogachi Union. Another local figure, identified as Khokon, has reportedly used political ties to oversee operations on the ground.

Tensions in the region remain high following an incident six weeks ago, when local political leader Monju Sheikh was shot and killed after opposing the sand mining. Residents fear further violence if authorities do not intervene.

Attempts to contact Abdul Alim for comment were unsuccessful.

When asked about the situation, Pabna Superintendent of Police Ashraf Ali said authorities had received phone complaints and were investigating.

Pabna District Commissioner Aminul Islam also confirmed he was made aware of the allegations and stated that necessary legal action would be taken.