Voters Demand Halt to River Sand Extraction

Residents of the Karnafuli riverside in Rangunia Upazila, Chattogram, are facing mounting fears over the destruction of their homes due to rampant sand extraction. With riverbank erosion threatening their neighbourhoods, local inhabitants have made it clear that they will support candidates committed to protecting the local ecosystem and taking decisive action against illegal sand mining.

Khorshed Alam, a resident of the West Sarfata area near Godown Bridge, expressed his concerns: “At the rate sand is being extracted from the river, our ancestral homesteads will vanish when the next monsoon comes. Much of the surrounding land has already sunk. Despite repeated complaints, the extraction continues. We will vote for a candidate capable of safeguarding our homes.”

The community emphasises that sand extraction is not the sole issue affecting their daily lives. Traffic congestion and accidents on the Chattogram-Kaptai road, the lack of industrial development, and insufficient healthcare facilities are persistent challenges. People from Kadamtali, Moriamnagar, Sarfata, and Kodala are demanding comprehensive solutions to these problems.

Youth leader Shahidullah from Godown Bridge stated, “We have already lost 60 decimals of land to the river. The erosion triggered by sand extraction shows no signs of abating, and no effective measures have been implemented to stop it.” Similarly, Rafiqul Uddin of Moriamnagar reported that his homestead was destroyed by river erosion following last year’s sand extraction activities.

Local religious leader Maulana Abul Kalam added, “Sand extraction continues unabated in broad daylight. Houses and mosques are at risk, yet no action is being taken.”

Farmers in the Rangunia area have also voiced concerns over the preservation of Ghumai Bill wetland. Brick kilns constructed on agricultural land along the road from Moriamnagar to Chandrakhona’s lychee gardens are harming rice cultivation. Farmer Nasir Uddin explained, “Rice planting has been delayed due to water shortages, which will reduce yields. New construction and brick kilns must be halted immediately.”

According to electoral surveys, BNP candidate Humam Kader Chowdhury leads in the Chattogram-7 (Rangunia) constituency, followed by ATM Rezaul Karim of Jamaat-e-Islami and M Iqbal Hasan of Bangladesh Islami Front. The constituency has a total of 319,808 registered voters, comprising 167,531 men, 151,476 women, and one hijra, casting votes across 92 polling centres.

Key Issues and Electoral Data

Residents are resolute in their electoral priorities: they will back a candidate who will implement effective measures to halt riverbank erosion and stop sand extraction. Equally important to voters are promises of improved infrastructure, industrial development, and accessible healthcare services.