Illegal sand mining has been going on unabated from Sangu River in Thanchi Upazila of Bandarban for a long time. Ruling Awami League (AL) leaders, local chairman, members and contractors are allegedly behind this mining in the area.
Locals fear that this illegal sand mining will damage the banks of the river.
According to local sources, sand is being lifted through a 10-inch pipe and a 24-horsepower machine from the river in the Thaingkhyong area. There are two sand dunes in the spot, each about 1,000 feet long.
Workers are lifting sand every day and night. Moreover, the sand-laden vehicles are using the Kanangjoi Para Government Primary School road. Locals say that the road is being damaged due to the movement of heavy vehicles.
Due to the mining, the croplands on the banks of the river are disappearing slowly. Each truckload of sand is being sold at Tk4,000, sources added.
Apruse Marma, one of the owners of the cropland next to the river, said: "My land is next to the river. In the first phase, Uchnu Member wanted to mine sand on the bank of the river, I did not approve it. A few weeks later, Uchnu Union Parishad Chairman Jiaong Marma along with Bolipara Union Parisahd chairman came to the spot and the sand lifting began.”
Since there is no official sand dune in Thanchi, no lease has been given to anyone for sand mining. However, local union parishad members, contractor Anwar, the President of local Swechasebak League Basingong Marma, President of Thanchi unit of Jubo League Anil Tripura, among others are involved in sand lifting. Locals complain that the gang is stockpiling sand in different locations to dodge the administration, he added.
Bolipara Union Parishad Chairman Zia Ang said: "It is not true that I am mining sand from the river, others are using my name out of enmity."
On Friday night, Thanchi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Mamun conducted a drive and seized a truck full of sand. Locals said the truck belonged to local Jubo League unit President Anil Tripura and General Secretary Chahainu Marma.
The truck driver and his assistant had been arrested, but the duo was later released.
Regarding the seizure of the truck, Chahainu Marma said: “We do not lift sand, we are helping some helpless boys in the area.”
According to locals, Anil Tripura and Chahainu Marma have already lifted a huge amount of sand using dredger machines in the last three months.
Meanwhile, several miners said that contractor Anwar is delivering the sand lifted from the river for the construction of Baklai Road. Anwar mixes the river sand with sand that he brings from Chakaria. Anwar is also deceiving the concerned authorities in this regard, they alleged.
President of Thanchi Jubo League Anil Tripura said: "Everyone in Thanchi is in financial crisis. Therefore, we are helping our own boys.”
UNO Mohammad Mamun said: "There is no sand dune in Thanchi. Also, no lease has been given to anyone. We have launched a drive against illegal sand mining."
Fakhar Uddin Chowdhury, assistant director of Bandarban Department of Environment, said: "I do not know anything about sand mining in Thanchi. I will investigate the matter and take immediate action."
