White stones in Sylhet -Photo: Collected

SYLHET, Aug 24, 2025 (BSS)- Many people have been returning stones on their own initiative since  the district administration's ultimatum regarding the looting of white stones in Sylhet. 

On Saturday, Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam ordered to return all the looted stones by Tuesday evening, August 26.

After that, traders are returning stones on their own initiative. Since Saturday night, many stone traders have been returning stones to the Sada Pathor tourist area by truck at their own expense.

In this regard, Kazi Farhad Hossain, a stone crusher mill trader from Dhopagul area of Sylhet Sadar Upazila, said, he bought stones three months ago and after that, he has not bought any more stones. 

However, he returned all the stones of his mill to Sada Pathor tourist area showing respect to DC’s order.

Meanwhile, a drive is also underway to recover the stones. The process of replacing these stones at the Sada Pathor tourist spot is ongoing.

Sylhet Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khushnoor Rubaiyat said at least 100 trucks of stones have been delivered to the tourist area from 12 midnight on Saturday to 12 noon Sunday. 

He said some businessmen from Dhopagul area of ??Sylhet have taken their own initiative to deliver the white stone they have collected to the spot. 

Executive Magistrate and law enforcement officers are monitoring the matter.

Meanwhile, the administration's campaign through loudspeaker to return the stones are also continuing.

Earlier on Saturday, the district administration ordered the stones looted from the Sada Pathor tourist spot of Bholaganj of Companiganj upazila in Sylhet to be delivered on their own initiative and at their own expense by Tuesday evening. 

The district administration also informed that strict action will be taken against anyone found with the white stone after this time. 

The district administration issued a public notice in this regard on Saturday. 

Sylhet DC Sarwar Alam said that many people are still hiding some stones in Companiganj and Sylhet Sadar upazilas. 

A meeting was held with local public representatives and businessmen in these two upazilas on Saturday to recover these stones. Three decisions were taken in the   meeting.

Among them are - by 5 pm on Tuesday, those who still have white stones will return those to the Bholaganj Sada Pathor area at their own expense and on their own initiative. 
Sarwar Alam said that action will also be taken against the public representatives of the area where the stones are found after the stipulated time.