Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has alleged that administrative complicity was involved in the looting of white stones in Sylhet.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday (17 August), Rizwana Hasan said, “This time, because of the all-party unity, there was certainly collusion within the administration. Otherwise, how can they now identify where the stones went? Their silence also suggests they might not have been willing to take risks then.”
The adviser clarified that her ministry is not directly responsible for monitoring how much stone was extracted or looted, but as both an environmental activist and a government representative, she cannot entirely ignore the issue. However, she rejected the idea of being personally blamed for the looting.
She also questioned whether the authorities are properly identifying those truly responsible in the cases being filed.
Recounting recent events, she said, “When two of us advisers went there, we were attacked. After we left, a three-day-long drive was launched, cutting off electricity supply to all stone-crushing machines. But four to five days later, under pressure from all political parties, a declaration was made to resume stone extraction. Transport owners even threatened strikes, which is not new. Back in 2020, when stone collection was halted during the COVID-19 crisis, they also called transport strikes twice, prioritizing business over public suffering.”
She alleged that this time, unlike before, administrative inaction stemmed from political pressure and unity.
Rizwana Hasan emphasized the power of public resistance: “Today, people have shown their strength. No matter how much political power supports looters, when people rise against them, it is the people’s strength that prevails. I thank the citizens for their strong protest, which will surely make looters think twice before attempting this again.”
