Farmers struggle as illegal soil extraction chokes Titas river

A syndicate engaged in extracting soil illegally in Brahmanbaria's Akhaura upazila has curved out a road-like structure through the Titas river and adjoining cropland to facilitate soil transportation, thereby choking the river's natural flow.

As a result, agricultural activities and irrigation systems in the riverbank areas have been severely disrupted.

Locals allege that an influential group led by Mir Ariful, alias 'Shooter Arif,' along with his associates Nuruzzaman Shipon and Al Amin, has been illegally extracting soil from the river for years.

They claim the syndicate, backed by political connections with the Awami League and its student wing, has operated with impunity -- even after the recent political shift that saw the AL ousted from power.

Affected local farmers submitted a written complaint with the Akhaura upazila nirbahi officer citing illegal excavation in Bongoj village under Dharkhar union, where three road-like structures have been built across the river within a one-kilometre stretch from Dharkhar bridge towards the northeast.

Every night, the extracted soil is loaded onto trucks and transported to brick kilns and other locations, the complaint added.

Local sources said some 40-50 truckloads of soil are transported daily.

Despite operations conducted by district and upazila administrations from time and again, the syndicate remains undeterred.

During a recent visit, this correspondent observed three road-like embankments along the Bongoj-Akhaura regional road, with two of those blocking the water flow while the other was being used for the movement of soil-laden trucks.

Excavators were also seen extracting soil from the river and agricultural land. A private car belonging to Shooter Arif was spotted at the site, but he was found nearby.

"Due to the road-like embankments, I am struggling to irrigate my cropland. I am even forced to seek permission from those controlling the embankment to retrieve water for irrigation," said Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, a farmer.

Abul Khayer, another farmer from Dharkhar village, said despite submitting complaints to the UNO, no action has been taken so far.

Shooter Arif could not be reached over the phone for his comment. A visit to his residence in Uzanisar village also yielded no result.

Contacted, Mohammad Didarul Alam, deputy commissioner of Brahmanbaria, acknowledged the issue.

"Previously, such embankment-like structures in Akhaura were dismantled. If necessary, we will conduct another operation. However, the lack of excavation equipment is preventing us from removing the structures effectively," he said.