An influential person has continued illegal sand lifting from the Chengi river in Panchhari upazila under the district for about two weeks.

On Tuesday, this correspondent visited the spot, situated near Chhoto Panchhari Dakkhin Government Primary School at Nalindra Para under Ultachari union of in the upazila.

Seeing a newsman, the workers left the spot.

A huge quantity of sand was seen piled up there.

The sand lifting has continued with the help of a dredger for more than two weeks, villagers of Nalindra Para said, adding that Awami League's district level leader Monkyaching Chowdhury, also member of Khagrachhari district council, is involved with it.

Bijoy Chakma, chairman of Ultachari union parishad, said, "I have heard of the illegal sand lifting. A few weeks ago, the same Awami League leader lifted sand from another place and I prevented him. Now he is lifting sand from this place."

"I have directed the ward member of the area to stop the perpetrator from lifting sand," he added.

Abul Hashem, upazila nirbahi officer of Panchhari, said, "I don't know about the matter. I will inquire into it and if necessary, conduct a drive by a mobile court."

This correspondent tried several times to communicate with Monkyaching Chowdhury over cell phone, but it was found switched off.