Dredger, two bulkheads seized during illegal sand extraction in Barishal
Barishal Bureau
A joint operation by the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Barishal Sadar Upazila administration led to the seizure of a sand-dredging vessel and two bulkheads operating illegally on the Kirtankhola River early Monday.
Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan, Media Officer at Coast Guard Headquarters, confirmed the operation details in an official press release issued on Monday night.
Acting on a confidential tip-off, an operational team from Coast Guard Station Barishal conducted a coordinated raid alongside the Barishal Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer at around 4:00 am near the Dapidapia Bridge area under Barishal Sadar Police Station. During the drive, officers intercepted one dredger and two bulkheads engaged in unauthorized sand extraction from the riverbed.
Sensing the approach of the joint task force, the perpetrators abandoned the vessels and escaped into the darkness, preventing any immediate arrests.
Subsequently, the Barishal Sadar UNO convened a mobile court on site, imposing a fine of Tk 4 lakh on the owners of the seized dredger and bulkheads. The penalty amount was deposited directly into the state treasury, and the vessels were subsequently released after securing written undertakings from the owners.
The Coast Guard official reaffirmed that such enforcement drives against illegal sand mining will continue to protect riverbanks, agricultural land, and local homesteads from erosion.
