Protesting workers block convoy of two advisors in Sylhet's Jaflong

Stone and sand extraction workers have blocked the convoy of two advisors to the interim government on their way back from an inspection visit to Sylhet's Jaflong.

The incident took place around 11:45am on Saturday when Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Energy Advisor Fouzul Kabir Khan were returning after inspecting the Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in Jaflong, a tourist hotspot in Gowainghat Upazila.

A video circulating on social media shows the workers surrounding the vehicles and chanting slogans as they blocked the road during a protest. Police later intervened, dispersing the protesters and allowing the convoy to proceed to the Haripur Guest House.

“Locals suddenly blocked the advisors’ vehicles. Police quickly cleared the road, and by 12:30pm, the advisors had reached the Haripur Guest House safely,” said Md Tofael Ahmed Sarkar, chief of Gowainghat Police Station.

When asked for comment, Gowainghat Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Ratan Kumar Adhikari said around noon: “Their convoy had already left Jaflong quite some time ago.”

Earlier in the day, while speaking to journalists during the site visit, Rizwana said: “We will no longer allow stone extraction from areas of Sylhet that possess natural beauty and aesthetic appeal. Jaflong is an Ecologically Critical Area. For those involved in stone extraction here, we have already discussed with the Ministry of Tourism to create alternative employment opportunities that support eco-friendly tourism.”