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Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized an illegal dredging machine and other equipment used to extract sand and stones in Patgram, Lalmonirhat. Six people, including four leaders of the BNP and its affiliated organisations, were also detained for allegedly obstructing government duties.
The incident took place late Tuesday night (September 8) in the Mominpur area of Jongra Union, near the Kuchlibari BGB camp in the upazila.
Those detained are Rafiqul Islam, 50, organisational secretary of the Burimari Union BNP; Ayub Ali, 50, general secretary of Ward No. 6 BNP; Abu Saim, 28, general secretary of the ward unit of Jubo? [sic] Swachhasebak Dal; Mati Rahman, 40, senior vice-president of the organisation; and two residents of Chhotokhata village in Dimla upazila of Nilphamari—van driver Shahadat Hossain, 40, and Dulal Mia, 48.
According to the case statement, BGB personnel, accompanied by magistrates, have conducted several drives against the use of dredging machines for extracting sand and stones from the Teesta River. As part of the ongoing campaign, a patrol team from the Dangatari BGB camp under Rangpur 51 BGB Battalion was conducting a special anti-dredger operation in the area on Tuesday night.
During the operation, BGB personnel seized a dredging machine, pipes and drums used for extracting sand and stones, which had been transported by two battery-run auto-vans in the Mesherpar area.
The seized equipment was subsequently taken to the nearby Kuchlibari BGB camp.
After learning about the seizure, the alleged owners of the equipment—Rafiqul Islam, Ayub Ali, Abu Said and Matiyar Rahman—arrived at the BGB camp at around 1am and allegedly attempted to force their way inside to take back the seized items.
They reportedly became involved in arguments and physical altercations with BGB personnel and allegedly issued threats and intimidation. As the situation posed a security threat to the BGB camp and its personnel and property, the four were detained.
During the operation, BGB also seized a six-cylinder diesel-powered dredging machine, four empty oil drums, 10 six-inch pipes, one ring pipe, two battery-run auto-vans, one motorcycle, four Android mobile phones and three feature phones.
BGB estimated the seizure value of the confiscated items at Tk 14.56 lakh.
