Residents have mounted a resistance demanding a halt to sand extraction via dredgers from the Brahmaputra River—near Balasighat in Gaibandha’s Fulchhari Upazila—and calling for measures to prevent river erosion. On Saturday afternoon (September 26), residents of East Kholabari village in Kanchipara Union traveled by boat to the river and seized a dredger and a boat used for sand extraction. Subsequently, a mobile court fined the owners of the dredger and the boat a total of Tk 2 lakh.

Residents allege that sand has been extracted from the river using dredgers for a long time in the area upstream of Kholabari village in Kanchipara Union, near Balasighat. They claim that extracting sand near the riverbank is intensifying erosion in the area. This has put homesteads, agricultural land, and various structures at risk. Locals report that the riverbank has already begun to collapse in several spots near Balasighat.

River erosion has also appeared in various parts of East Kholabari village (Kanchipara Union) and North Uria village (Uria Union). Homesteads and arable land are being swallowed by the river due to this erosion. This has caused anxiety among families living along the riverbank. According to the locals, river erosion has long been a source of suffering for the people of this region. Every year, many families are forced to relocate after losing their homes and farmland to erosion. They fear that extracting sand with dredgers near the riverbank could further increase the risk of erosion.

Resident Abul Hossain said, “We had previously lodged complaints with the local administration and held human chain protests demanding a stop to sand extraction and the protection of our homes and farmland. However, as no effective action was taken, we gathered and went to the river on Saturday morning.” “At one point, we seized a dredger and a boat used for sand extraction.” Locals reported that a tense situation arose while the dredger was being seized. According to them, a heated exchange of words and arguments took place between residents and the individuals associated with the dredger.

They said the dredger sustained some damage during the incident; however, they could not obtain a statement from the people associated with the dredger. Abdur Rashid, a resident of Purba Kholabari, said, “Erosion has started along the riverbank. If sand extraction is not stopped, it will become difficult to protect our homesteads and land. We went to the river and seized the dredger specifically to protect our homes and property.” Omar Ali, a resident of the same village, said, “If we lose our last remaining assets to river erosion, where will we go? Immediate measures must be taken to stop sand extraction and prevent erosion.”

Sohel Rana Shalu, Chairman of Kanchipara Union Parishad, stated that sand extraction from the river has caused concern among residents. The matter has been brought to the attention of the administration. Necessary steps need to be taken to protect the areas affected by river erosion. Mostafizur Rahman, the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) of Fulchhari, said that a dredger and a boat were seized following an incident of sand extraction from the river near Balasighat.

Through a mobile court, a total fine of Tk 2 lakh—Tk 1 lakh each—was imposed on Milon Mia (the dredger owner from Kabilpur village) and Helowar Hossain (the boat owner from the local Syedpur area). They also provided written undertakings.