Staff Correspondent
In a late-night joint operation, Sylhet district administration and law enforcement agencies recovered 12,000 cubic feet of illegally extracted stones from the popular Sada Pathor (White Stones) tourist site. The seized stones were returned to the Dhalai River and the surrounding areas to restore the natural landscape. The raid, which began past midnight on Wednesday (August 13), followed an emergency coordination meeting where authorities decided to deploy round-the-clock security at the site.
Led by a six-member committee, the operation targeted illegal stockpiles along the Dhalai Riverbanks and set up checkpoints on the Sylhet-Bholaganj highway. Several trucks carrying stolen stones were intercepted. “We are working closely with the administration to recover the looted stones, and these efforts will continue,” said Saiful Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police.
The Sada Pathor area, once a major tourist attraction, had lost its charm due to rampant stone theft over recent months. Locals hope the recovered stones will help revive the site’s natural beauty and boost tourism. Authorities have vowed to maintain strict surveillance to prevent further illegal extraction.