Illegal Stone Extraction Continues in Sylhet’s Lova River Despite Ban

Bulkhead vessels lined up on the Lova River were seen being loaded with stones on Sunday, as excavators dredged from beneath the water and workers piled stones into cargo boats. This was observed in Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet, despite repeated crackdowns on unauthorized stone extraction in the region.

The Lova River, which originates across the border and merges with the Surma, naturally carries stones downstream into Bangladesh. A quarry located at the river’s entry point in Bangladesh was once leased for legal extraction, but all government permits were cancelled in 2020. Since then, stone extraction has officially been prohibited.

Locals allege, however, that large-scale removal continues under the guise of shifting stockpiled stones that were auctioned off earlier. They claim that political leaders from both the Awami League and BNP are backing the operations, often in collusion with contractors.

On-Site Observations

A visit to the area between 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm on Sunday revealed stone-loading activities in full swing. Near Kanaighat Bazar, at least 15 labourers were seen transferring stones to a bulkhead on the Surma. Piles of stones stretched nearly half a kilometre, with crushing machines breaking them into smaller pieces.

Moving upstream into the Lova, even larger operations were visible. In places like Chintarbazar, Mechhar Char, Bagicha Bazar, Nayabazar, Mulagul, Saudgram, and Barogram — along with areas near Lovachhara’s 26 pillars — at least 100 bulkhead vessels were docked. Around 50 excavators were active, while 30 to 35 crushers operated nearby. Some workers were even seen collecting stones by hand from beneath the riverbed.

Residents said the area is remote and rarely monitored by authorities, allowing stone removal to continue unhindered, especially at night.

The Auction Loophole

After the government ended quarry leases in 2020, more than 10.6 million cubic feet of seized stones were stockpiled in the Lova area. Of this, 4.4 million cubic feet were put up for auction, eventually purchased by Messrs Piyas Enterprise in December last year for Tk 215 million.

According to the contract, the stones had to be removed during daylight only, without extracting fresh material or mixing new stock with the auctioned stones. The removal was to be completed within 45 days, later extended by another 30. Despite both deadlines expiring by July 23, extraction is still continuing.

Company owner Kamrul Hasan Chowdhury claimed that moving such a massive volume within the time limit was unrealistic, saying only 30–40% could be shifted. He applied for more time, which was rejected, but later received a three-month extension from the High Court. “There’s no stay order, so we are not violating the law,” he said.

Political Ties Alleged

Local sources allege that while Kamrul Hasan, a former BNP-affiliated student leader, is the public face of the auction contract, many Awami League leaders are working behind the scenes. Names of several Awami League officials from Kanaighat have surfaced in connection with the operations, though those accused have denied involvement.

BNP’s local ward-level leaders, meanwhile, accused both parties of jointly running the stone business beyond the auction’s legal scope. “The auction period is long over, but stone removal continues. On top of that, fresh extraction is taking place, harming the environment,” one BNP leader alleged.

Authorities Respond

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad confirmed that no further extensions were granted after July 23. Environmental groups, however, say the expired auction permit is now being misused to plunder new reserves.

“An organized syndicate is exploiting valid auction papers as a shield to loot quarries and nearby areas,” said Shah Saheda Akhtar, divisional coordinator of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA).

Meanwhile, amid government operations in other Sylhet hotspots — including Companiganj, Gowainghat, and Bholaganj — some 39,000 cubic feet of illegally extracted stones have already been seized in the past five days.