Panchagarh Correspondent: The upazila administration has confiscated 9 machines and 320 feet of pipes, along with other items, during an operation aimed at curbing the illegal extraction of stones and sand using dredging machines in the Bhajanpur Karatoya River of Tentulia, Panchagarh. The owners of these machines, as well as the stone and sand traders, have fled.

On Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, Upazila Executive Officer and esteemed Executive Magistrate Afroz Shahin Khasru led a drive against individuals illegally extracting stones and sand from the Karatoya River in the Ganagach area of Bhajanpur Union, Tentulia Upazila. During this operation, 5 environmentally harmful modified dredger machines, 4 pumps, approximately 320 feet of pipes, and other related goods were seized. As the owners of the illegal machines were not present at the scene, instructions were issued to the Tentulia Model Police Station to initiate a regular case against them. The Tentulia Model Police Station, Bhajanpur BGB, and village police provided full support to the operation. Subsequently, members of the Shukani BGB camp were informed about the drive in the Shibchandi area of Debnagar Union, located on the opposite side of the Karatoya River.

After the campaign, Upazila Executive Officer Md. Afroz Shahin Khasru addressed the local residents, urging them to collaborate with local public representatives to establish a social movement against the illegal extraction of stones and sand using dredger machines. He encouraged the community to report any such activities they observe and stated that similar campaigns will be conducted regularly in the interest of the public in the future.