White stone loot: Appeal to High Court to investigate and take action in Sylhet

A writ has been filed in the High Court to investigate the incident of white stone looting in Sylhet and take prompt action against those responsible. The writ petitioner, Supreme Court lawyer Mir AKM Nurun Nabi, gave this information on Thursday (August 14). The writ states that the relevant government authorities should take appropriate action against those responsible for the incident and that additional members of the law enforcement agencies should be deployed there. The writ also seeks an explanation for the inaction of the relevant government officials in taking action against those responsible for the white stone looting and the issuance of a rule. The writ seeks an order to investigate the incident and submit a report within 15 days. In addition to the Home Secretary, 10 people including the Environment Secretary, IGP, DC Sylhet, UNO Companiganj have been made respondents in the case. Meanwhile, a 5-point decision was taken in a coordination meeting of the Sylhet district administration last night to prevent stone looting and restore the looted stones to white stone. The decisions are: Joint forces will be on duty 24 hours a day in the Jaflong ECA area and the Sadapathar area. The police check posts at Gowainghat and Companiganj will be on duty round the clock with joint forces. The operation to shut down and shut down illegal crushing machines will continue. All those involved in stone theft will be identified, arrested and brought under the law. The stolen stones will be recovered and returned to their previous locations. Incidentally, in February 2020, instructions were given to stop the extraction of stones and sand from quarries. Recently, due to the inaction of the administration and the unbridled looting of influential people, the stone quarries of Sylhet, including Sadapathar, a place of wonderful natural beauty, are on the verge of disappearing. Local residents and tourists complain that this looting continues with the patronage of influential circles, which is not only threatening natural resources, but also the tourism industry.