Rajshahi, June 17 (V7N)– Rajshahi city is facing a dual challenge as an unscrupulous gang continues to brazenly steal sand from Shyampur Bandh Ghat, while notorious drug networks operate with apparent impunity in the Motihar and Boalia police station areas. The ongoing illegal activities have sparked anger among local traders and residents, raising questions about enforcement despite official warnings.

For the past week, the Shyampur Bandh sand ghat, located within Katakhali police station limits, has been a site of rampant sand theft. Sand traders express deep frustration, noting that despite contacting the district administration, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Paba, and local police stations, the illegal extraction persists. This illicit trade is reportedly impacting government revenue and harming legitimate traders, with only the criminal gang benefiting.

Locals reported that after an initial administrative order saw the gang remove their extraction pipes from the river, UNO Paba personally visited Shyampur sand ghat and issued a warning against illegal sand extraction. However, defying this warning, the gang allegedly extracted six trawler-loads of sand between Monday night (June 2) and Tuesday morning (June 3), valued at several lakhs of Taka. Ordinary traders highlighted a stark contrast, noting that while legal sand extraction previously occurred only during the day, the current theft takes place from night until early morning, despite BGB patrols along the river banks. A former leaseholder complained that BGB previously halted their legal extraction, yet now "the sand theft festival is going on, ignoring all the laws."

Responding to queries, Arafat Aman Aziz, UNO of Paba, stated that warnings have been issued and further action will be escalated to the district administration if the theft continues. Md. Mohinul Hasan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), affirmed that "urgent measures will be taken to stop illegal sand mining at Shyampur Balughat."

Drug Kingpins Active in Padma Char and City Areas

Compounding the challenges, a notorious drug smuggling gang, allegedly masterminded by Imran, son of the infamous drug dealer Akkas, continues its operations across the Padma Char and key areas within Motihar and Boalia police stations. Despite BGB restrictions on public presence on the river banks after 9 PM for security, drug smuggling reportedly continues unabated, particularly around Pillar No. 10 on the Indian border.

Other active drug dealers identified include Saddam, Mina, Raihan, Sohel, Sagar (son of Kubat), Kashem and his four brothers (also involved in hundi business), Bakkar (son of Alam), and Ayubu (son of Jalal) from Middle Char, Padma. Many of these individuals reportedly maintain residences in both the Char areas and Mizan intersection of Motihar police station, facilitating the distribution of drugs smuggled from the Indian border across Rajshahi and the entire country.

A close associate of drug dealer Akkas, speaking anonymously, claimed that Akkas and his rival, notorious smuggler Ayub, are controlling drug shipments from areas like Muktarpur, Alaipur, and Charghat of Bagha police station to Nongor in Rajshahi city, allegedly with the "full cooperation" of Akkas's bodyguard, Shahin. The source further alleged that Sagar, a former organizing secretary of Ward No. 9 of the Rashtriya Lok Sabha constituency, and his two brothers are guarding Akkas's drugs in the Nongor and Shimla areas, reportedly transporting large consignments of Phensedyl and Tapentadol tablets through local cashew plantations.

Local residents of Ward No. 9 claim they formed a human chain about a year ago to protest the "atrocities" and drug trade by Sagar and his brothers, but their activities have continued, fueled by their ill-gotten wealth.

Additional drug dealers reportedly active in the Motihar police station area include Titu, Moti, and Manik near Bangitala Mosque, along with Babu, Jaka, Karasin Rafiqul and his brother-in-law Riaz, Habil (Malek's son) from Dasmari, and a couple named Suman and Rangila from Mizaner Mor. Locals assert that arresting these individuals could eradicate 90% of drugs from the Boalia area of Motihar.

When contacted, the BGB-1 spokesperson directed inquiries to the Talaimari camp. The company commander of the Talaimari camp in Motihar police station acknowledged BGB's night patrols but claimed they might miss small quantities of drugs (50-100 Phensedyl bottles). However, he maintained that large consignments cannot pass undetected and vowed to bring even the most "powerful" identified drug traffickers to justice.

Mohammad Rakibul Hasan Ibne Rahman, RMP Police Spokesperson and Additional Deputy Police Commissioner, reiterated the police's "zero tolerance" policy on drugs. He confirmed that both police station forces and DB police are conducting operations, assuring that identified drug dealers will be arrested and brought under the law.

END/RAR/RH/