Ahmedul Arefin, from Sunamganj:

A Bangladeshi worker named Lokman Mia has tragically died in a quarry collapse while smuggling coal from the depths of the Meghalaya hills in India. Lokman was the son of Mohammad Ali, alias Bakul, from the Bander Hati area of Lakkma village, Uttar Shreepur Union, Tahirpur Upazila, Sunamganj.

The incident occurred around 1:00 PM on Saturday in a coal quarry located beyond the Balijaghat Border Outpost (BOP) under the Tekergarh Company headquarters of the 28 Border Guard Battalion, Sylhet Sector. The quarry is situated in the Meghalaya hills across the border.

Local sources, including Safil Mia, a member of the local union council, confirmed Lokman’s death. Reports indicate that Lokman, along with over 100 workers from Lakkma border village, crossed the India-Bangladesh border near Main Pillar 1198 early on Saturday under the supervision of known smugglers Liton, son of Kiamat Ali, and Saiful, son of the late Abdul Hamid.

While extracting coal deep within the Meghalaya hills, oxygen scarcity forced the workers to exit the quarry. On their way out, a collapse occurred, injuring several workers and trapping Lokman, leading to his death. His companions later brought his body back to his home in Lakkma village and fled the scene.

Several workers returning from the quarry collapse confirmed these details. When asked about Lokman’s death and the coal smuggling operation, Liton and Saiful dismissed any wrongdoing, stating that “many locals are managing everything and running the coal smuggling business.”

Allegations of Corruption:

It is alleged that the smuggling operations are facilitated by corrupt officers at Tahirpur Police Station, Tekergarh Police Camp, and certain members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). These officials reportedly provide safe passage for coal smuggling in exchange for bribes per bag or ton of coal.

The smuggled coal is often stored in private homes, illegal depots, and warehouses near customs stations like Borochhara and Charagaon. The smugglers then falsify documents, including fake customs slips and bills of entry, to evade taxes and transport the coal to places like Anwarpur in Tahirpur, Kalmakanda in Netrokona, and Chamaraghat in Kishoreganj. It is distributed to brick kilns and coal markets nationwide via road and water routes using boats and bulk carriers.

Despite public outcry, law enforcement officers and BGB personnel reportedly show reluctance to take legal action against the smugglers or seize the stored coal.

Official Responses:

Abdul Hannan, Company Commander of the 28 Border Guard Battalion’s Tekergarh headquarters, confirmed hearing about Lokman’s death through locals. He stated that the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Balijaghat BOP.

Similarly, Siddique, the Camp Commander of Balijaghat BOP, acknowledged that Lokman died due to respiratory issues while returning with smuggled coal.

Abul Kalam Chowdhury, in charge of the Tekergarh Police Camp, also confirmed the incident and stated that Lokman’s body had been sent to the district hospital morgue. He denied allegations of police involvement in the smuggling operation, calling them baseless.

15 Deaths in 8 Months:

Locals claim that since 2024, at least 15 impoverished Bangladeshi workers, including Lokman, have lost their lives in quarry collapses while extracting coal from Meghalaya. The incidents highlight the dangerous and exploitative conditions faced by the workers involved in these illegal operations.