Locals blocked a highway and vandalised trucks, excavator, and pipes demanding to put an end to illegal sand lifting on Jamuna river in the Garabari Tarai area in Tangail's Bhuapur upazila this afternoon.

A syndicate of local influentials started sand lifting on Jamuna river Tarai, Kuthiboyra, Arjuna, Jagatpura and Nalin area recently.

They also made a road filling the river for facilitating movement for the sand-laden vehicles.

Over this, the angry locals vandalised the sand carrying trucks, excavators and pipes used for sand lifting.

They, including women, also kept the Bhuapur-Tarakandi regional highway blocked at Tarai area by burning tyres for one hour.

The villagers alleged that previously local Awami League leaders lifted sand from the river illegally, causing erosion at the riverside villages and made locals homeless. Now the local sand traders backed by BNP leaders have started lifting sand, also on the crop lands, they alleged.

"Local villagers became victims of river erosion earlier. Now, sand cutting on the char started again day and night, fearing erosion in the upcoming monsoon," Ramzan Ali of Tarai village told The Daily Star.

Another local Sifat Miah said the way the sand is being cut will destroy houses of the riverside dwellers in the rainy season. Cropland is also being cut.

"Now sand traders are forcibly lifting sand and threatening villagers if barred," he said.

Mozammel, a BNP leader of Tarai area of Arjuna union, said the local leaders have been informed about the demands of the locals. They were advised not to protest or form human chains. Still, locals blocked the road and vandalised vehicles on the sand ghat.

Bhuanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge AKM Rezaul Karim said after hearing the news, police went to the spot and assured the closure of the sand ghat.

Legal action will be taken if complaints are received, he said.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Fahima Binte Akhtar in Bhuapur said they have received complaints from the locals that sand is being lifted illegally in the Jamuna river.

"The locals were protesting against it by blocking road. They, however, left after getting assurance of taking action against the illegal sand lifters," she said.