Even with the administration’s vigilance, land theft continues unabated in Chakaria

Cox’s Bazar’s Chokoria Upazila is grappling with a surge in illegal soil extraction from fertile agricultural lands. Despite repeated administrative raids, the practice shows no signs of abating. Local residents allege that landowners are granting permission to “soil hunters” in exchange for substantial sums of money, exacerbating the problem. Observers insist that alongside government enforcement, local communities must also take responsibility to curb the illicit activity.

Investigations reveal that soil is being illegally excavated from multiple villages, including Fasiakhali, Bodorkhali, West Borovhola, Konakhali, East Borovhola, Dhemushia, Boroitoli, and Harbang. The extraction occurs round the clock, with teams working tirelessly day and night. A significant portion of the looted soil is transported to brick kilns, where it is used in brick production, while some is employed for landfilling and other construction purposes.

Large trucks are frequently deployed to transport soil via temporary makeshift roads cut through farmland. Prices vary depending on the locality, ranging from approximately BDT 2,500 to 3,000 per truckload, with landowners often receiving a portion of the proceeds. In some cases, landowners demand BDT 50,000 to 60,000 per season from soil hunters, further incentivising the illegal trade.

The local administration has taken steps to combat the issue through mobile courts and regular inspections. Despite these measures, soil hunters continue to operate under cover of darkness, evading enforcement. Executive Magistrate and Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rupayan Deb has led several mobile court actions, confiscating excavators and other equipment used in soil theft. Fines have been imposed on perpetrators, yet the illicit trade persists.

Locals emphasise that greed drives landowners to authorise soil removal, often earning millions in the process. Officials argue that to halt the crisis, both soil hunters and complicit landowners must be brought to justice.

Recent administrative actions are summarised below:

Rupayan Deb stated, “Reports indicate widespread illegal soil extraction from farmland across the upazila. Most of this soil is transported to brick kilns or used in private construction. We have seized excavators and other equipment to prevent further theft. The administration remains vigilant, and no one will be spared from legal action.”

The combination of persistent enforcement and community vigilance is deemed essential to halt what locals describe as the “soil theft festival” plaguing Chokoria’s farmlands.