Administration bans all vessels except tourist boats in Sylhet’s Sada Pathor

The authorities have been announcing the new directive via loudspeakers since Friday afternoon, UNO says

Companiganj Upazila administration has banned all vessels except tourist boats in Sylhet’s Sada Pathor in an effort to curb sand and stones looting.

Upazila administrator (UNO) Mohammad Robin Mia said the administration has been announcing the new directives via loudspeakers since Friday afternoon.

According to the directive, only tourist vessels will be allowed to operate from 500m below the Dholai Bridge up to the Sada Pathor tourist centre, with all other boats strictly prohibited in the area.

In addition, two individuals have been sentenced to one year in prison for illegal sand extraction near the Dholai Bridge.

The convicted are Shafiq Ahmed, 40, son of Mohammad Abdullah, and Mohammad Quddus, 30, son of Mohammad Babul Mia.

UNO Robin said a task force operation was conducted from 1:30am to 3:30am near the bridge, where the two were arrested for illegally extracting sand while claiming ownership of land near the bridge.

The two were later sentenced to one year each through a mobile court.

The UNO also said those involved in illegal sand extraction near the bridge are being brought under the law.