Residents of Kalirchar in Adhara Union under Munshiganj Sadar formed a human chain on Sunday, protesting illegal sand extraction using dredgers in the Meghna River.
Hundreds of people—including men, women, the elderly, and youths—gathered peacefully on the riverbank to voice their concerns. Speakers expressed deep worry that agricultural and recorded lands might soon disappear into the river due to unchecked sand extraction.
Participants of the human chain stated that no sand quarry (balumahal) has been officially declared in the Char Abdullah mouza. Yet, influential quarters have illegally installed dredgers in Kalirchar and Char Abdullah areas to exploit the nearby declared sand quarry of Bhasanchar. They pointed out that sand extraction is practically unfeasible in Bhasanchar mouza due to the presence of homesteads and cluster villages.
Locals claimed that although some government khas lands in Bhasanchar are designated as sand sources, most of these areas have already been occupied by cluster villages. Extracting sand from 1st Khatian (permanently recorded) lands in Kalirchar, they argued, would endanger surrounding villages and lead to devastating erosion.
According to residents, thousands of families live in Kalirchar and Char Abdullah. Continued dredging will increase riverbank erosion risks and cause irreparable damage to legally registered properties.
In a symbolic act of protest, women held brooms and sandals, calling for resistance against illegal sand extractors.
Speakers also urged the district administration to revisit the Bhasanchar sand quarry decision and conduct a proper ground survey to assess the area’s suitability before issuing such declarations.
It is noteworthy that the sand quarry at Bhasanchar mouza was leased for the Bengali year 1432 to M/S Monir Enterprise, owned by Md. Moniruzzaman, for a sum of BDT 65 million.
Locals alleged that the lessee is violating lease terms by illegally extracting sand from Kalirchar and Char Abdullah, posing serious threats to the environment and local communities.
Residents are calling for urgent administrative intervention to resolve the issue.
