Illegal soil extraction runs unchecked in Jashore’s Jhikargachha

Illegal sand and soil trading has reportedly become rampant in Jhikargachha upazila of Jashore, with residents alleging that repeated complaints to law enforcement agencies have yielded no effective action.
Locals claimed that despite directives from the upazila administration, neither Jhikargachha police station nor Navaran highway police station has taken visible steps to stop the activities of organised soil-cutting syndicates operating openly across the area.
Residents of Panchpota, Chanderpol, Chandpur, Haria, Kundipur and Navaran under Navaran Union alleged that heavy transportation of soil from evening until dawn has severely damaged around 6 to 7 kilometres of rural roads. Cracks and signs of collapse have already appeared on several paved and semi-paved roads, they said.
They also alleged that a roadside pond is being filled for commercial plot development, while soil is being excavated from nearby ponds, sparking widespread concern among locals.
According to a number of residents willing to remain anonymous and local sources, a group led by Mizan of Chanderpol, along with Wasim of Haria, Nahid Hasan of Chandpur, Babu and Ariful of Chanderpol, and another team led by Ershad of Baysa village, has been extracting soil from a pond in Haria village and supplying it to a brick kiln owned by Alamgir.
When contacted, Mizan of Chanderpol, Wasim of Haria and Nahid Hasan of Chandpur claimed they were legally purchasing soil from landowners and selling it, insisting there was “nothing wrong” with the business.
Another syndicate allegedly led by Laltu, along with Mizan, Kamu and Alamgir Jamir Ali, has been cutting and selling soil under a Tk2.2 million contract to fill an 8.5-bigha pond owned by Saharul and Bashar in Chanderpol, according to locals.
Meanwhile, another group led by Nurul, Labib, Yasin and Jewel from Kundipur and Panchpota is reportedly transporting soil from Panchpota village to Rahul Bricks in the Ulashi area of Sharsha upazila. Locals claimed each trolley of soil is being sold for around Tk1,200.
Residents alleged that the illegal activities continue every night under the protection of influential quarters. Excavators are reportedly being used to dig soil, while eight to ten tractor-trolleys transport it to various brick kilns in Sharsha.
Witnesses said Panchpota and Gungunor villages have effectively turned into hubs of illegal soil extraction after dusk, with operations continuing until early morning. Soil is allegedly transported through the Kundipur road and the old Navaran market bridge to several brick kilns in Ulashi.
Sources further claimed that similar illegal soil-cutting activities are taking place in several other villages of the upazila, including Andolpota, Srirampur, Fulbari, Ashingri, Shioroda, Hajirbagh, Narangali, Raghunathnagar, Kauria and Bodkhana. Besides supplying brick kilns, the traders are also accused of unauthorised pond excavation, land filling and commercial earthworks.
The matter was also discussed at an upazila law and order meeting held on 11 May in the presence of lawmaker Mohammad Moslehuddin Farid.
At the meeting, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saffat Ara Sayeed urged local representatives and residents to remain vigilant and directed law enforcement agencies to conduct mobile court drives and file regular cases against those involved in illegal soil trading, gambling and drug-related crimes.