Sand lifters fire at mobile court officials in Meghna river

A mobile court came under attack by sand lifters during a drive against illegal sand lifting in the Meghna River in Narsingdi's Raipura upazila on Monday.

The sand lifters allegedly opened fire and hurled crude bombs at the team members in the remote Char Madhua area of Char Aranjol union in the afternoon.

Magistrates and law enforcement personnel narrowly escaped harm, said AC (Land) Masudur Rahman Rubel.

Executive Magistrate Nepal Kanti Dev, Executive Magistrate Sarwar Alam, AC (Land) Masudur Rahman Rubel and members of police and Ansar were present during the drive.

"We had information that several illegal dredgers were operating in the Meghna River in Char Madhua area.We launched a drive to stop illegal sand extraction," said Masudur Rahman Rubel.

"As soon as the sand lifters noticed us from a distance, they began fleeing with their dredgers. When we chased them, miscreants aboard two dredgers opened fire and later detonated multiple cocktails [crude bombs]. They then took positions along the riverbank, fields, and nearby bushes," he added.

Rubel said due to the escalating situation the team was forced to suspend the operation.

"These illegal sand lifters are armed and operate in groups. A large-scale operation will be conducted in the future to bring them to justice," he said.

Raipura Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Masud Rana said the sand lifters opened fire after being chased by the mobile court team.

"Considering safety, we called off the operation. Those responsible for firing at the government officials and law enforcers will be identified and face legal action."

He further said that a joint force including army, police, and Ansar will conduct extensive drives in the future.