Dhaka, August 14 (V7N) – A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking an investigation into the looting of white stones in Sylhet and immediate action against those responsible. Supreme Court lawyer Mir AKM Nurun Nabi, the petitioner, confirmed the filing on Thursday.

The petition demands that relevant authorities take measures to stop the looting, deploy additional law enforcement personnel, and explain their inaction. It also requests a court order directing an investigation into the incident, with a report to be submitted within 15 days.

The writ names 10 respondents, including the Home Secretary, Environment Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet, and the UNO of Companiganj.

Meanwhile, the Sylhet district administration has taken a five-point decision to prevent stone theft and recover looted stones. These include 24-hour joint force patrols in Jaflong ECA and white stone areas, round-the-clock police check posts in Gowainghat and Companiganj, shutting down illegal stone crushers, arresting those involved in stone theft, and restoring stolen stones to their original locations.

Stone extraction from quarries was officially banned in February 2020. However, locals allege that due to administrative negligence and influential backing, large-scale looting continues, threatening both natural resources and Sylhet’s tourism industry.

END/SMA/AJ