Nurul Sylhet Correspondent: Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Reza-un-Nabi stated that Sylhet is not an isolated region; it is an integral part of the nation. If stone extraction is permissible throughout the country, why should Sylhet be any different? The livelihoods of the people are at stake. The cessation of traditional stone extraction in Sylhet raises significant questions.

He remarked, “If the extraction of sand or stone is conducted legally, what is the issue? There must have been some underlying problem that led to the writ petition and the court’s ruling. It is essential to gain a clearer understanding of the entire situation and to inform the higher authorities accordingly.”

These comments were made during a meeting with local political leaders, including stone industry stakeholders, workers, and transport owners from Sylhet, at the Divisional Commissioner’s office on Tuesday evening.

Transport owners and workers advocating for their six-point demands began an indefinite strike that impacted goods and public transport throughout the Sylhet district, starting at 6 am on Tuesday. After seven hours, around 1 pm, they chose to suspend the strike and announced a meeting with the divisional commissioner for the afternoon. During a lengthy meeting from 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm, the Divisional Commissioner listened to the remarks of the transport owners and labor leaders. In his concluding remarks, he stated that the lives and livelihoods of thousands depend on stone extraction from Sylhet’s quarries. He assured them that their statements would be forwarded to the Chief Advisor and expressed confidence that a solution would be found. He emphasized that if stone extraction is feasible nationwide, it should also be possible in Sylhet.

He remarked, “If necessary, a meeting will be convened here in your presence with officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. We have learned that just as a river loses its course when stones are removed, it also loses its course when stones are not extracted. We will not make decisions based solely on the opinions of laypeople. An expert committee will be established to conduct a thorough study, which I believe is essential.”

He also addressed the issues of worker harassment by the BRTA and police mistreatment of truck drivers on the roads, assuring that these matters would be resolved. Subsequently, the protesting transport owners and workers declared a two-day suspension of their strike. The administration plans to hold another brief meeting with political leaders and transport owners and workers in the next two days, as stated by Moinul Islam, President of the Sylhet District Road Transport Bus Minibus Coach Microbus Workers Union.