Residents of Chilmari upazila in Kurigram staged a human chain and protest rally on Saturday afternoon at Fakirer Hat Ghat area of Raniganj Union, demanding an end to illegal sand extraction from the Brahmaputra River. Hundreds of men and women joined the demonstration, which concluded with protesters demolishing three toll booths used for sand transport and sales.

The event was presided over by Niharika Sharmin Deepi, a lecturer at Chilmari Mohila Degree College, and attended by Riverine People director and Begum Rokeya University professor Dr. Tuhin Wadud, along with local teachers, traders, and residents. Speakers alleged that illegal dredging was taking place openly under administrative watch, damaging embankments and roads built for riverbank protection. They accused a known group of continuing sand trade unchecked, putting riverside communities at risk of erosion.

Dr. Wadud criticized local authorities for failing to enforce river protection responsibilities and called for immediate action against those involved in illegal sand extraction. Attempts to contact the Chilmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer for comment were unsuccessful.