Hundreds of people are illegally digging up stones at the Bholaganj Ropeway Plant in Sylhet’s Companiganj upazila and the guards have become abettors there.
They are also stealing the government excavation equipment lying there since 1994 when the quarrying, around the plant situated on a delta inside the Dholai River, was stopped.
These people are also cutting down trees inside the plant, defacing its greenery and putting the area’s ecological balance under threat, locals say.
This place was attractive to the tourists who used to come here.
But now they no longer come here since it has lost its charm due to the illegal quarrying and felling of trees, they add.
Awami League leader and Sylhet’s Companiganj Upazila Chairman Abdul Bashir’s son Shamim Ahmed is allegedly controlling the illegal quarrying here, the locals say.
The correspondent tried to contact Shamim on this but failed to reach him on the phone.
The Dhaka Tribune correspondent visited the site and saw the railway guards aiding and abetting in the digging up of stones there.
Railway Security Inspector Saidur Rahman, however, denied allegations that his guards are abetting in the quarrying.
“We have only 47 persons to maintain the security of the plant. We need more security guards to protect it. Besides, we are not getting any help from locals in this regard,” he said.
When asked about this, Companiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Asif Bin Ikram said, “This plant is on the verge of ruins due to the negligence of the railway security guards.”
“Sixty seven railway guards have been deployed there to guard it. They have even been ordered to shoot people conducting illegal quarries. Yet they are failing to protect it.”
“They have even been asked to set up a check post there to protect the plant. But they were reluctant. They are liable for its ruins.”
“I will write to the railway secretary about it soon,” he added.
