The political landscape in East Sylhet has long been dictated by a ‘Permanent Power Party,’ a group that remains influential regardless of government changes. These individuals, akin to professional gamblers in casinos, do not invest their capital but manipulate political newcomers for financial gain. The region, rich in natural resources such as gas, sand, and stone, has become a hub for smuggling and illegal extraction, primarily in areas like Jaflong.
Financial Scale of the Illegal Trade
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- Stone and sand looting
- Tamabil port corruption
- Smuggling transactions in Haripur
- Sugar smuggling
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Jaflong, a scenic location, transforms at night into a hotspot for illicit activities. From 2009, under the Grand Alliance government, numerous Awami League leaders, including Ranjit Sarkar, Bidhan Kumar Saha, and Nasir Uddin Khan, dominated the region’s wealth extraction. The central Awami League’s Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel operated behind the scenes while local MP Imran Ahmed facilitated power shifts. Initially, Liaquat Ali, Jaintapur Awami League’s General Secretary, controlled Jaflong, accumulating vast wealth. Over time, power transitioned through various factions, including the Lebu Chairman family and Fazlul Haque’s group. For over a decade, these groups looted Jaflong’s resources, including sand and stones worth billions of taka. Despite its status as an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA), looting persisted with little intervention.
Following the political shift on August 5, many previous players fled, and new ones emerged. The expelled BNP leaders Rafiqul Islam Shahparan and Shah Alam Swapan now lead the syndicate, working alongside known figures such as Anwar Hossain (Panama Anu), Jubo Dal leader Abul Kashem, and notorious looter Henry Lamin. Smuggling operations across East Sylhet continue through border points like Sonatila, Amsatpur, and Tamabil. Jaflong remains a key route for illicit trade, including sugar, livestock, and consumer goods.
Tamabil land port, a major trading hub, has also been plagued by corruption. Under former MP Imran Ahmed’s influence, Liaquat Ali controlled the port, aided by businessmen like Jalal Uddin and Faruk Ahmed. This group allegedly embezzled vast sums from labour-handling operations. After August 5, Rafiqul Islam Shahparan took control, appointing a new advisory council. However, internal conflicts and corruption persist, prompting an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation, which confirmed large-scale fraud.
Smuggling, though momentarily halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed with unprecedented intensity post-pandemic. Sugar smuggling became rampant, with trucks transporting goods from Haripur to Dhaka. A powerful syndicate, including Awami League and BNP leaders, oversaw this trade. The police, allegedly complicit, allowed passage in exchange for bribes. Local figures such as Jahangir Alam and Chhatra League president Nazmul Islam controlled the operation, facilitating transactions worth billions. However, recent crackdowns have disrupted their operations, and new actors now control the trade.
Police inaction remains a concern. Despite occasional raids by the Department of Environment, illegal activities continue. While some workers have been arrested, the key masterminds remain untouched. Protests against stone looting have erupted, leading to recent task force operations. District Superintendent of Police Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman acknowledges the border’s vulnerability but denies police negligence. He insists that newly transferred officers are actively working to curb crime. However, he admits that generations of criminals in the region consider smuggling a way of life, making law enforcement efforts challenging.
Ultimately, East Sylhet remains a battleground for control over its vast resources. Political changes may shift power, but smuggling and looting persist, enriching a few while devastating the environment and local economy.
