By defying the High Court verdict and ban imposed by the mobile court, measure is underway to lift sand from an illegal Balu ghat (a place where sand is stored and distributed) at Talaimari area beside the river Padma.
Recently, a mobile court formed by Rajshahi district administration had closed the illegal balu ghat on July-24. But, now the move was underway to restart the balu ghat once again.
The illegal balu ghat was being operated by Azizul Alam Bentu, Organising Secretary of Rajshahi City Unit of AL.
It is learnt, a business enterprise 'Messer’s Amin Traders' is owned by Azizul Alam Bentu who took lease of a sand dune at Char Khidirpur and Char Shyampur mouza which were far away from Talaimari city area. But, due to excavation of sand from the area outside the leased zone, a writ petition was filed against Azizul Alam Bentu with the High Court. The High Court directed to stop immediately excavation of sand from outside the sanctioned area and a mobile court formed by the district administration stopped the operation of the illegal balu ghat and arrested eight truck drivers engaged in loading and carrying sand from the ghat and awarded them punishment of various terms.
The mobile court also hung a sign board at the spot mentioning, "In accordance with the writ petition No-6521/2019, the honourable High Court division has imposed a ban on excavation and transport of all sort of sand from Kajla Mouza/using Kazla ghat.
A stern punitive measure will be taken against the violator of this order. By order of Deputy Commissioner, Rajshahi. "
But on Friday, it was seen, just beside the sign board at Talaimari sand ghat area, preparation was being made to store sand once again after excavating that through pipe. A close circuit camera was also set up at the area.
Locals informed, aftermath of imposing ban on excavation of storing of sand by the mobile court, Azizul Alam Bentu started to lift sand from his own leased area and transport the sand through roads of Shyampur area under Kantakhali municipality. But, due to movement of heavy sand laden trucks, the roads started to be damaged and people of locality resisted the movement of such heavy trucks through the roads. As a result, Azizul was trying to excavate and store sand from non-leased area of Talaimari once again.
Anowar Hossain, another sand trader had filed a writ petition with High court demanding ban of excavation of sand from non-leased area and the court, after hearing, ordered to continue the ban of lifting sand from the area and also wanted to know why action was not taken against the illegal sand lifter. But, by defying the order, once again preparation was going on to lift and store sand from the same non-leased area.
Owner of Messer’s Amin Traders, Azizul Alam Bentu, however, refused to comment on his move to lift sand again from unauthorised area. Recently, he claimed through a press conference that the mobile court had stop his Balu ghat illegally.
Hamidul Haque, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi informed he had heard the news of the move of lifting sand from the unauthorised area. He further said, he has not yet received the document of latest hearing at the High court that is why waiting to receive that and would take next action after receiving that.