Key Suspect in White Stone Loot Sent to Jail

Anwar Hossain, one of the key members involved in the white stone loot at Jaflong’s Zero Point, a border tourism area in Sylhet, has been arrested by Goainghat police. On Sunday (16 November), he was sent to jail through the court.

Earlier, on Saturday (15 November) at 10 pm, police conducted a raid at Jaflong Zero Point based on a secret tip and arrested Anwar. During the operation, two others were also detained for drug use.

Anwar Hossain is the son of Ismail Hossain from Lakerpara village in Jaflong Union.

According to police sources, following information regarding Anwar Hossain’s involvement in the August incident of stone looting at Jaflong Zero Point, he had been under surveillance for a long time. On Saturday night, based on secret information, Anwar was consuming drugs in a room at Zero Point with a few accomplices. A police team led by Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tarikul Islam Talukdar conducted a raid and arrested him.

OC Tarikul Islam Talukdar said, “Anwar Hossain has been arrested under the case filed regarding the Jaflong stone loot. He has been sent to jail through the court. Police operations are ongoing to arrest others involved in the incident.”

Notably, on 7, 8, and 9 August this year, around 40,000 to 50,000 cubic feet of white stones were looted from Jaflong Zero Point. On 18 August, Abdul Munayem, Assistant Officer of Goainghat Upazila Land Office, filed a case at the police station. The case lists 100 to 150 unknown individuals as accused.

Earlier, on 19 August, Goainghat police had arrested Afzal Hossain and Jabed Ahmed, suspects in the loot case, and sent them to jail through the court.

Khaborwala/SS