Sylhet, Aug 27 (V7N) — Following the trails of Sadapathor, Jaflong, and Bichanakandi, the Rangpani area in Sylhet’s Jaintapur Upazila is now facing rampant stone theft, putting the region’s natural beauty and existence at serious risk. Stone theft is occurring openly in broad daylight, threatening this once-prominent tourist destination.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Rangpani—then known as Shripur—was a well-known tourist center and even hosted movie shoots featuring popular actors such as Salman Shah. Like other major tourist spots in Sylhet, the charm of Rangpani lies in its sandy stones and the crystal-clear water of the local streams. Located near the border, the area attracts many tourists but is difficult to access, as visitors must evade Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) patrols to enter without repercussions.

Locals report that stone theft in Rangpani has been ongoing for years, dating back to a few years before the Sheikh Hasina government took office. The continuous extraction has left large pits scattered across the border area. Despite occasional raids, the illicit activities have not ceased, and authorities appear to turn a blind eye.

According to anonymous local sources, stone theft was once coordinated by Awami League leaders but is now reportedly controlled by leaders of the Union BNP and its youth wing. These groups allegedly exploit police and BGB identities to extort money. The stolen stones are stored near Rangpani Captain Rashid School and College and then transported by truck to cities across the country.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Jaintapur Upazila, Farzana Akter Laboni, confirmed that mobile courts have previously been conducted in the area and that regular raids are ongoing. She stated that they plan to visit the hotspots soon to intensify their efforts.

On Sunday morning, joint forces conducted a raid in the Salutikor area of Sylhet, seizing approximately 11,000 cubic feet of earth-covered stones. Two individuals, Helal Ahmed (30), son of the late Sona Mia from Chaliya in Sylhet Sadar, and Fahim Mia (28), son of Gias Uddin from Habiganj, were arrested in connection with the incident. The operation, led by Executive Magistrate Ashik Mahmud Kabir, targeted a crusher mill yard where the stones were found.

In a related crackdown, four individuals were arrested from a stone trader’s residence in Volaganj, Sylhet. The joint force found weapons and Indian liquor during the raid conducted late Saturday night. The detainees include Kutub Uddin alias Pagla Shah (54), son of late Anwar Ali of Adarsha village, Abdul Wahid (55), son of late Golam Mostafa of Uttarpara village, his son Zahid Ahmed (22), and Ruhel Ahmed (26), son of Abdul Wajed from the same area.

Companyganj police station officer-in-charge Uzair Al Mahmud Adnan confirmed that the arrested individuals were handed over to the police station following the raid and were later sent to court.

The ongoing stone theft poses a serious threat to Sylhet’s tourism potential and environmental stability, calling for urgent and sustained action from authorities to protect this valuable natural heritage.

END/RIM/SMA/