BNP Leader in Sylhet Suspended from All Positions Over Stone Looting Allegations

Sahab Uddin, President of the Companiganj Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Sylhet, has been suspended from all party positions following specific allegations of extortion, illegal land grabbing, and activities contrary to party policy and ideology.

The decision was announced on the night of Monday, 11 August, through an official statement signed by Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP.

Party Decision

According to the notice, Haji Abdul Mannan has been appointed Acting President until further orders are issued.

Background: The Stone Looting Controversy

Local sources allege that since 5 August last year, large-scale illegal stone extraction has been taking place at Bholaganj White Stone Tourist Centre in Sylhet, despite a court-imposed ban on stone quarrying. Taking advantage of political changes, stones from Arefin Tila and the Ropeway Bunker in Shah Bholaganj have reportedly been removed and the sites destroyed.

Further allegations claim that influential individuals have also been extracting stones from the White Stone area and surrounding residential properties.

Environmental Concerns

Residents complain that the Department of Environment has failed to take effective action against the illegal activity. In the last two weeks, mountain flash floods deposited fresh layers of sand and stone in the area. However, when the waters subsided, only sand remained—the stones had allegedly already been looted.

Multiple accounts suggest that this influential political leader is at the centre of the operation, prompting the BNP’s disciplinary move.