Despite the peak season, stone traders in Sylhet are facing massive loss in business due to the transportation crisis, thanks to the non-stop blockade imposed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
Stones extracted from the quarries in the district are distributed around the country, but due to the political violence the trucks cannot deliver the stones, sources at different quarries told the Dhaka Tribune.
“We have been trying to do what we can amid the political instability. But it is risky and the attacks on the road makes it much worse,” said Jashimuddin, a stone trader at Bichanakandi quarry in Gowainghat upazila.
“The peak season for stone extraction here is between November March. During this time, around 2,000 trucks are supposed to carry out stones from here to different places around the country every day. But this season, we are having difficulties meeting our orders due to all the blockade-related violence,” said Mohammad Sunu Miah, a stone businessman in Bholaganj quarry, 33km from Sylhet city.
Abdur Noor, chairman of Companignaj Stone Mill Owners’ Association in Noakhali district, said: “Our business is taking a terrible hit; we cannot run our stone mills without the stones.”
The frequent petrol bomb attacks on good-laden trucks on the highways are making truck owners and drivers reluctant to take their vehicles out on the road.
“Trucks came to Sylhet to carry the stones out to their destinations, but now they are stuck here fearing ambush,” said Iftekhar Ahmed, general secretary of Sylhet District Truck Owners’ Association. “Because of this situation, we are suffering a daily loss worth around Tk8-10 crore.”
The stagnancy of business is not only affecting stone traders and transport owners, but also those who are employed in the quarries.
According to sources, around 800,000 people are employed in the district’s five stone quarries – Jaflong, Bholaganj, Lawachara, Tekerghat and Bichanakandi – in stone extraction, loading and delivery throughout the country.
Around 100,000 people – both men and women – work in Bholaganj quarry, 50,000 of whom collect the stones in small boats, their livelihood depending on selling the stones.
“It is a difficult time for all of us. Anything is possible when it comes to our politics – burning innocent people for its sakes is a proof of that,” Iftekhar said.