Staff
Correspondent:
Some
local syndicates are cutting topsoil of arable lands in Kunda union of South
Keraniganj. As a result of cutting topsoil of arable lands from 5 to 6 places
in the union, a vast area has turned into ditch and marshland. The place is
very near of the Padma Bridge; so the bridge itself is in risk of damage.
The
local people are already discontent over the issue of losing the cultivable
lands. From the local sources it’s found that the task of cutting topsoil is
being led by Shujon of Kandapara, Babu Mia of Bhahmangaon, Jafar Iqbal Bappy of
Panagaon, Roman of Ainta area and Shohag Mia of Arakul. They are leading a
strong syndicate of 4 to 5 members. The local landlords have become helpless
due to illegal influence of these syndicates. They didn’t get the solution even
after filed complaints to local public representatives and administration. On
the contrary, they’ve become victim of threat and physical assault.
Our
reporters talked to the local people. According to them, the syndicates have
been cutting topsoil from the lands of local people and lands bought by people
of other union. Even, in some places, soil up to 50-60 feet has been cut. In
other places the syndicate cut soil beside the house, which resulting the
houses being fall in the risk of collapsing.
Among
these syndicates, the job of cutting topsoil in Kaotail Mouja of Kanadapara
village is led by Shujon. People like Saddam, Jarif Uddin, Mamun and Kamal
Member are his main helper. The work of cutting topsoil in Brahmangaon mouja of
Brahmangaon area is led by Babu Mia of Kajirgaon, while his main assistants are
Shahid and Parvez.
The
same work in Rishi Bari of East Baghoir mouja in Pangaon village is led by
Jafar Iqbal Bappy, while Jewel Ahmmed Don, Kawsar and Palash works as his main
assistant. As this syndicate is politically influential, they’ve been doing the
topsoil cutting works in 2 to 3 spots without much difficulty.
Roman
is leading the task of cutting topsoil in Baghoir mouja of Ainta village, while
his main partners in crime here are Antor, Himel and Bhelu Mia. In Arakul
village, the work is led by Shohag and his assistants are Parvez, Tikka Mia and
Jainal. Besides, Rahat of Kazipara village and Kashem Bapari of Kandapara are
in this syndicate.
Due
to illegal work of these syndicates, local farmers and landlords have become
helpless. These soils are being sent to various brickfields and establishment
projects. The topsoil cutting is stopped when there’s news over the issue on
media, while it’s resumed after some time. As the maximum topsoil of the area
was cut, some educational institution including Padma Bridge is in risk of
damage.
From
the field visit on East Baghoir mouja of Pangaon, the reporter saw topsoil was
being cut under supervision of Moazzem and Palash and then transported it
to various places by placing the soils on 7 to 8 trucks. On the moment,
Moazzem, Palash, the driver and helper of truck fled away sensing the presence
of media men.
The
reporter found a man on the spot named Manir, who came there to purchase soil.
The name of Maozzem, Palash and others were revealed while the reporter talked
to him.
A
local woman named Hawa Begum came to the spot seeing the presence of
journalists. She said the syndicate has been cutting topsoil from the land
beside her house which belongs to other people. They have cut topsoil and made
a hole of 20 feet deep for which her house fell in the risk of collapsing.
She
is worried that her houses will be collapsed in near future.
She
furthermore added that she couldn’t get any result despite filing complaint to
local representative. Conversely, she got the threat of being killed from the
syndicate. As the syndicate is backed by local influential persons, nobody
wants to talk against them.
From
the field visit in Brahmangaon area, it has been seen that topsoil has been cut
in most of the places and the area is filled with marshlands and ponds. Even,
soils from areas around Padma Bridge have been cut away, which made the pillars
at risk.
The
same scenario exists here as the local landlords can’t raise their voice
against this crime. Under the condition of being anonymous, a local people said
the soils mainly go to brickfields like Mokless Brick Field. Mokhless takes the
soil by joining the topsoil cutting syndicate of the area.
Almost
same situation was observed in Arakul area.
Over
the issue, Keraniganj upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Md Mehedi Hasan said,
“There’s no rule regarding cutting topsoil by changing the classification of
the land. However, I’ve heard about cutting topsoil of arable lands. If there’s
any incident of plundering soils, then proper action will be taken upon
investigation.”
Railway
minister Md Nurul Islam Shujan said, “I don’t know anything about it yet. We’ll
investigate the matter whether the bridge is in risk due to the cutting soil.
If we get proof of this matter, necessary action will be taken.”
Minister
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin said, “Cutting
topsoil illegally is definitely an illegal work and threat to environment.
We’ll surely take action against the people involved in the process.”
Md
Shahjahan, the officer-in-charge of South Keraniganj police station, said,
“we’ve seen some vested groups were cutting soils in many places in South
Keraniganj. We aren’t sure who or which group are involved in the crime. In
past, we took action against people involved in illegal soil cutting. Now,
we’ll scrutinize the matter.”
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