Bagmara, Dec 15 (V7N) – A mobile court in Bagmara has sentenced five workers, including the operator of a dredger (veku), to one month of imprisonment each for illegal pond excavation in Basupura Union’s Ward No. 7. The convicts are Sirajul Islam, Tarikul Islam, Shipon, Alamgir Hossain, and Ariful Islam.

The verdict was delivered on Saturday evening by Bagmara Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Saiful Islam Bhuiyan. According to officials, Abdus Sattar, president of Ward No. 7 of Basupura Union Jamaat, initiated unauthorized pond excavation at Nakakati Bill, using three arable farmlands, ignoring government directives.

Excavation work continued daily from evening to early morning, with topsoil being transported to local brick kilns using tractors. This activity not only reduced soil fertility but also caused severe damage to paved roads in the area. Local farmers protested, but Abdus Sattar reportedly continued the illegal operation through intimidation and misuse of influence.

Acting on complaints from local farmers, the mobile court detained the dredger operator and four other laborers. During the court proceedings, the convicts admitted their wrongdoing, leading to the one-month imprisonment sentence. The illegal pond excavation has since been halted due to the absence of any official permits.

The Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land), Saiful Islam Bhuiyan, confirmed that the action was taken to enforce the law, protect agricultural land, and prevent further environmental and infrastructural damage.

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