Munshiganj (South) Correspondent 

 Allegations have surfaced regarding illegal sand extraction from the Meghna River near Kalirchar village in the char area of Munshiganj Sadar. In an attempt to protect their farmland and homesteads, local villagers chased away the illegal sand miners. In the ensuing unrest, two loaded dredgers were set on fire by enraged locals.

On the same day, the upazila administration conducted an operation at the Sadar sand quarry for extracting sand close to the riverbank and detained two dredger workers—Abdur Rahman and Md. Zakir. They were later fined Tk 2 lakh.

The incident occurred around 10 AM on Wednesday near Kalirchar village, adjacent to the Meghna River in Adhara Union. Villagers claimed that sand was being extracted too close to their land, outside the boundaries of the designated sand quarry area, which led to their protest and subsequent chase.

Locals stated that the license holders of the Meghna River’s Bhasonchar sand quarry, despite having legal permission for another area, had been extracting sand dangerously close to the village for several days. As a result, fears of river erosion affecting farmlands and homes intensified among villagers.

Driven by the fear of losing their ancestral land, the angry villagers rushed to the site to stop the extraction. The dredgers fled the scene, but in the chaos, two stationary loaded dredgers were set ablaze by the crowd.

GS Moniruzzaman Monir, leaseholder of the Bhasonchar sand quarry, claimed, “We have leased the sand quarry legally and are extracting sand only from the areas designated by the authorities.”

However, local resident Khalil Miji (65), speaking on behalf of the community, said, “The lease was given for Bhasonchar Mouza, but they are mining in Kalirchar Mouza. As per the latest land survey, this area includes registered river-adjacent land and is used for growing three seasonal crops. That’s why we’ve resisted—to protect our forefathers’ land.”

Another local, Rina Begum, said, “Our people are helpless. If our homes are destroyed, where will we live? The ones extracting sand are powerful—no one speaks for poor villagers. We demand justice.”

Mahbub Alam, In-charge  of the Char Abdullah River Police Outpost, said, “We conducted a raid in the area this morning and fined them Tk 2 lakh. Our operations will continue if irregularities persist.”

Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Sadar Upazila, A.K.M. Hasanur Rahman said, during the operation, two individuals were detained for extracting sand too close to the riverbank. They were later fined and released. Anyone violating the law in the future will face legal consequences.”