The villagers have driven away illegal sand lifters from 10 villages under Savar and South Keraniganj police stations today as continuous removal of silt from the river Bonshai put many houses at the risk of being washed away. Several hundreds villagers barricaded Savar-Keraniganh road at Itabhara Bridge for over three hours from 1:30pm in protest against sand lifting.

Witnesses said the villagers equipped with bamboos and sticks chased the people lifting sand from the river illegally with dredgers. Villagers alleged that the labourers hired by the sand traders tried to resist and attack the villagers back but retreated as the villagers outnumbered them. They demanded the government take necessary steps against the illegal activities to save their houses.

Villagers of Firingi Kanda, the worst victim of sand lifting, said they got united to resist the sand traders as local administration and police turned a blind eye on the issue. Saver police chief Nasir Ullah said, "As the villagers are conscious enough, they resisted the illegal activities and drove away the criminals."

-Daily Star