In Char Bhaga area of Bhedarganj Upazila, Shariatpur, allegations have surfaced that sand-filled geo-bags stored for the Padma River embankment project were looted by locals. Officials from the Shariatpur Water Development Board (Paubo) reported that 13,546 geo-bags were stolen over two days, causing an estimated loss of nearly BDT 10 million. The incidents occurred on Thursday, March 6, and Friday, March 7, affecting Package 22 of the ongoing embankment project.
A General Diary (GD) was filed at Sakhipur Police Station on Friday by the subcontractor, Eagle Rich Engineering Construction BD Limited, following the looting.
Confirmation from Officials
Executive Engineer of Shariatpur Paubo, Khan Mohammad Waliuzzaman, confirmed the incident:
“Some miscreants looted geo-bags from the embankment site. When Paubo officials went to inspect, the looters chased them with local weapons. Later, the law enforcement authorities intervened and brought the situation under control.”
He added:
“On-site inspection revealed 18,000–12,000 geo-bags, of which more than 13,500 were taken by the looters. We informed the Deputy Commissioner and made announcements to prevent further damage. In my professional life, I have never witnessed such an unprecedented incident. The locals might better explain why this happened.”
Details of the Looting
According to local residents, hundreds of people from Monai Howladar Kandi and nearby villages removed sand from the sealed geo-bags and carried them away. Residents allege that the looting took place with the knowledge or instructions of the contractor and engineers.
Shariatpur Paubo sources noted that the area is prone to river erosion, as the district is surrounded by the Padma and Meghna rivers. Many residents rely on fishing and agriculture for income, and the riverbanks are home to large populations. The Water Resources Ministry had initiated the embankment project to protect villages in Char Bhaga and Tarabunia unions, particularly vulnerable to erosion.
Project Background
- The project spans 5.8 kilometers along vulnerable riverbanks.
- In 2023, 30 separate packages were assigned to contractors, with a total budget of BDT 57 billion.
- In Char Bhaga, Package 22 covers 220 meters and is executed by Dockyard and Engineering Workshop of the Navy, subcontracted to Eagle Rich Engineering Construction BD Limited.
- The package requires 78,953 sand-filled geo-bags and 135,909 CC blocks.
Incident Specifics
During the looting on March 6–7, locals allegedly removed sand from the geo-bags and took the empty bags, affecting 13,546 geo-bags, causing a loss of around BDT 1 crore. Efforts by local elders and police temporarily halted the looting.
Contractor’s Response
Attempts to contact Mohammad Lokman, engineer at Eagle Rich Engineering Construction, were unsuccessful, as his phone remained off. Package 22 is currently supervised by engineer Nurul Islam from Package 18. He said:
“Suddenly, locals came and cut open sand-filled geo-bags to take them. Later, with the help of police and community leaders, the looting was stopped.”
Local Allegations
Resident Ali Hossain Molla (35) said:
“The looting was directed by the contractor and engineers. They told people to take the geo-bags. For two days, around 100 people carried them away—some four, five, or six bags each—from 10 PM on March 6 until noon on March 7.”
The incident has raised serious concerns about security at large-scale government projects and the role of contractors in preventing misuse of materials.
