Two Arrested Over Sitakunda Quarry Protest Case

In Bangladesh’s coastal upazila of Sitakunda in Chattogram, a dispute over alleged illegal hill cutting has escalated into a controversial criminal case, with two local youths arrested on charges of extortion after reportedly protesting environmental damage in the area. The incident has sparked concern among residents, who claim that attempts to protect fragile hill ecosystems are being met with intimidation and legal harassment.

According to local sources, extensive hill cutting had been ongoing for an extended period in the northern part of BM Area under Bhatiari Union No. 9. The earth removal was reportedly carried out to supply raw materials for a brick kiln operation, raising concerns over environmental degradation and regulatory compliance.

Allegations surrounding the brick kiln operation

Residents allege that the activities were being conducted under the supervision of Tajul Islam, manager of the “Mir Group” brick kiln, which is reportedly owned by a prominent leader of the South Chattogram District unit of the Awami League. The operation is said to have proceeded without clearance from the Department of Environment, despite clear legal requirements for environmental approval before hill cutting activities.

Local people claim that the unregulated excavation has created serious environmental risks, including the possibility of landslides during heavy rainfall or seismic activity, threatening nearby homes and infrastructure. Repeated objections by villagers reportedly led to temporary suspension of activities, but operations allegedly resumed shortly afterwards.

Arrests following protest and counter-case

Tensions escalated when local youths protested against the ongoing hill cutting. In response, a case was filed accusing 15 to 16 individuals of extortion. Police subsequently arrested two of the accused, identified as Kofil and Wasim.

Sitakunda Police Station Sub-Inspector Abul Hossain confirmed that the two men were arrested on Sunday night and later sent to court. Authorities stated that the case is under investigation.

However, families of the accused strongly deny the allegations. The wife of one detainee, Jemu Akter, claimed her husband had merely opposed environmental destruction and was being falsely implicated as a result.

Previous enforcement actions and continued activity

This is not the first instance of enforcement intervention in the area. Approximately one and a half years ago, the Department of Environment conducted a raid, seizing equipment and sentencing one individual to imprisonment. Despite this, residents say hill cutting activities resumed gradually.

More recently, police also intercepted three soil-laden trucks in the Banshbaria area of Sitakunda on Saturday, as part of ongoing monitoring efforts.

Claims of intimidation and legal threats

Local residents further allege that opposition to hill cutting has led to threats and intimidation, including warnings of fabricated legal cases. They claim that environmental activists and concerned villagers face pressure when attempting to intervene.

Reports also suggest that, in the past, land records in the area were allegedly altered to reclassify hill terrain as industrial land, enabling expanded extraction activity.

Journalist–manager confrontation allegation

Separately, local journalists who visited the brick kiln site earlier this year following public complaints reportedly faced hostility. According to allegations, a manager associated with the operation behaved aggressively towards a reporter from The Daily Ittefaq’s Sitakunda correspondent and allegedly issued threats of legal action when questioned about the allegations.

Official responses

Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Fakhru Islam stated that any confirmed illegal hill cutting would be investigated and appropriate legal measures taken.

Meanwhile, an official from the Department of Environment, Ashraf Uddin, confirmed that enforcement actions had previously been taken, including equipment seizure and imprisonment of an offender, adding that the situation remains under active monitoring.

Growing environmental concern

Environmental experts and residents warn that continued hill cutting in Sitakunda could have long-term ecological consequences, particularly given the region’s vulnerability to landslides during the monsoon season. Local communities are calling for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and greater protection for hill ecosystems, amid fears that commercial interests are outweighing environmental safeguards.