Armed Gangs Ravage Chakaria’s Hills and Rivers

Chakaria is witnessing a severe environmental crisis as illegal sand mining operations continue unabated, leaving hillsides, riverbeds, and fertile farmland in ruins. The scale and audacity of the extraction have highlighted serious ecological degradation as well as apparent administrative inaction, raising concerns over governance and public safety in the region.

Reports indicate that the unauthorised operations are concentrated in Ichachhri village in northern Harbang, Chakaria. Dredgers and shallow machines are being used to carve channels up to 200 feet wide through river streams, while excavators dig as deep as 50 feet—far exceeding the legal framework, which permits only manual collection using baskets and spades in hilly terrain. These violations have caused riverbanks to collapse, accelerated soil erosion, and placed local ecosystems under severe threat.

Violence and Threats

The gangs involved have reportedly resorted to extreme intimidation tactics. Journalists attempting to document the operations were allegedly attacked and nearly drowned, according to eyewitness accounts. Such violent behaviour demonstrates not only the paramilitary-style protection enjoyed by the perpetrators but also the growing risk to public safety and freedom of the press in the area.

Illegal Sub-Leasing and Administrative Gaps

Investigations suggest that the mining frenzy is driven by a shadowy “sub-lease” culture. Political figures and local intermediaries appear to have granted armed groups de facto control over the extraction sites, bypassing legal restrictions entirely. While officials from the Upazila Land Office to the District Commissioner have promised enforcement, evidence suggests that on-the-ground action remains minimal. Trucks loaded with sand reportedly traverse public roads past Environment Department and Land Office personnel daily without interference, creating an impression of tacit approval.

Experts emphasise that minor fines or token raids are insufficient to address the scale of environmental destruction. Legal analysts have urged immediate action to arrest the gang leaders and influential figures allegedly backing them, revoke unlawful sub-leases, and apply stringent environmental and criminal laws to deter future offences.

The Chakaria situation is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unregulated exploitation of natural resources. Without decisive and consistent enforcement, local communities, agricultural lands, and river ecosystems are likely to face long-term, irreparable damage, while criminal networks continue operating with impunity.

Authorities are being called upon to act swiftly, ensuring that perpetrators face the full weight of the law and that preventive measures are implemented to protect both the environment and the population. The incident underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and rigorous enforcement in areas vulnerable to illegal resource plundering and politically backed criminal activity.