Stone workers staged a protest in Sylhet’s Jaflong on Friday (14 June) after two government advisers announced that local stone quarries would remain closed.
The demonstration occurred shortly after Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan visited the area and stated that the government would not issue any new leases for stone extraction in the region.
In response to the announcement, angry workers gathered around noon and blocked the advisers’ vehicles for nearly 10 minutes. A brief scuffle broke out between protesters and police, who quickly intervened and cleared the way.
Gowainghat Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Sarkar Mohammad Tofayel Ahmed confirmed that the situation was under control and that the advisers were escorted safely to Haripur Guest House.
During the visit, Adviser Fouzul highlighted the severe environmental degradation caused by illegal stone extraction and announced that electricity connections to unauthorized stone crushers would be disconnected. Adviser Rizwana reiterated that Jaflong would be developed as a tourist hub, creating alternative employment for locals.
Stone worker Ashraf Hossain voiced frustration, saying that legal operations had been halted while illegal activities allegedly continued unchecked. He claimed the government’s actions were benefiting illicit operators.
The Ministry of Environment had previously suspended leasing at 17 of the country’s 51 stone quarries due to environmental concerns, particularly those under court injunctions or within ecologically critical areas (ECAs).
LND/SAE
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