Soil cutting festival in Gumani river

The soil cutting festival are running after violating rules in the Gumani River which is flowing through Chatmohar upazila of Pabna. Soil from the river is being supplied to illegally established brick kilns. Due to continuous soil cutting, the environment is under threat, as well as the roads in the area are being destroyed. Under the shelter of a former UP chairman, the festival of soil cutting has started in this river. The gang is extorting crores by selling the soil. But the local administration has not taken any action in this regard.

Nayeb Ali, a member of ward 1 of Nimaichara Union Parishad, and Mizanur Rahman, a member of ward 4, are cutting soil and selling it to brick kilns. Locals alleged that they are administrating the festival under the shelter of Kamruzzaman Khokon, former chairman of Nimaichara Union Parishad and president of Nimaichara Union Awami League.

When asked, Nayeb Ali, the member of ward number 1, admitted to cutting the soil of the Gumani river. He said, "We are filling various potholes in the interest of the people of the village. Some partners have been cutting this soil for the last 4/5 days. Former Nimaichara Union Parishad chairman Kamruzzaman Khokon is also involved in their soil-cutting."

Kamruzzaman Khokon, former chairman of Nimaichara Union Parishad and president of Nimaichara union Awami League, said, "It would be wrong to say that we are not involve with the activities. Some of our younger of the village are cutting the soil, I am just helping them nothing else. And the place where the soil is being cut is not the Gumani River but it is called as Bata Gang."

SM Mizanur Rahman, member secretary of Chalanbeel Raksha Andolan Committee and joint general secretary of BAPA, said, "We submitted a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner and Upazila Nirbahi Officer requesting to stop soil cutting in the Gumani River. But to no avail. Rather, the festival of soil cutting has started with full swing in the Gumani river. Last Thursday, I again appealed to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer. Let's see what happens."

Chatmohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Reduanul Halim said, "It is a crime to cut the soil of the river. We are taking action against those involved in cutting soil from the river. They will not be spared."

ZH