Why Was Jaflong’s Stone Looting Unchecked? – The Masterminds Revealed

One of Sylhet’s prime tourist attractions, the Sada Pathor area in Bholaganj, Companiganj Upazila, has witnessed unprecedented plunder. Once known for its breathtaking white stones, the site is now scarred and faded, with its natural charm almost obliterated.

Today, in the so-called “Kingdom of Stones” in Sylhet, there are no stones left. What once were towering piles of stones at Bholaganj have turned into barren, empty land. Day and night, hundreds of boats openly carried away sand and stones — yet the administration remained indifferent.

Timeline of Looting

Locals claim that since 5 August 2024, looting continued every day, day and night. They report seeing at least a hundred trucks leaving each night loaded with stones. Despite knowing about it, neither the administration nor the political leadership took effective action. Occasional raids had minimal, short-lived impact.

Environmentalists’ Concerns

According to environmental activists, the indifference of the authorities allowed the stone plunderers to operate without fear. Media reports since last year revealed that local BNP and Jubo Dal leaders were spearheading the operation, while coordinators from the Baisomobirodhi Chhatra Andolon (Anti-Discrimination Student Movement) were allegedly backing it from behind the scenes.

Even though four BGB camps and multiple checkpoints surround the Sada Pathor area, they remained silent spectators. Whenever raids were attempted, the looters received advance warning and evaded capture.

Voices of Frustration and Failure

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser on Forests and Climate Change, expressed her deep disappointment:

“For four years I managed to stop stone extraction in Jaflong — but now, even as an adviser, I could not. I see an ‘all-party unity’ in this destruction. If you want to learn how to ruin something beautiful, you must come to Bangladesh.”

Abdul Karim Kim, environmental activist, criticised the authorities’ role:

“Due to administrative apathy, Sada Pathor has been destroyed. Over the past year, countless media reports and environmental warnings have been ignored, turning the Dhalai River’s origin into a paradise for stone plunderers. Now, visitors see nothing but barren sandbanks and deadly pits where stones once lay.”

Sumon Kumar Das, Bureau Chief of Prothom Alo in Sylhet, noted in a Facebook post:

“It’s too late for regret. Since August 5 last year, we have published 16 news reports, 3 editorials, and several photo and video stories. Yet no one acted — neither the administration nor political leaders. Everyone seemed united in the looting.”

He added that Sada Pathor could have been saved if authorities had acted after the Prothom Alo report on 3 May 2025 titled ‘Stone Plunderers Target Sada Pathor’.

The Decline of Sylhet’s Stone Sites

Before Sada Pathor, other iconic locations in Sylhet — Shah Arefin Tila, Jaflong, Bholaganj quarry, and the protected bunker area — were destroyed in similar fashion. None were spared, and today Sylhet’s “Kingdom of Stones” is stone-less.

Administrative Statement

Sylhet’s Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad, stated:

“The administration is making the utmost effort to stop the plunder at Sada Pathor. Raids are conducted almost daily and will continue.”

Once a place where lakhs of tourists came every year to witness its pristine beauty, Sada Pathor now stands barren — a shadow of its former self, transformed into a desolate wasteland by greed and neglect.