Dhaka, Sept. 21 -- Companiganj Upazila administration has banned all vessels except tourist boats in Sylhet's Sada Pathor in an effort to curb sand and stones looting.Upazila administrator (UNO) Mohammad Robin Mia said the administration has been announcing the new directives via loudspeakers since Friday afternoon.

According to the directive, only tourist vessels will be allowed to operate from 500m below the Dholai Bridge up to the Sada Pathor tourist centre, with all other boats strictly prohibited in the area, reports bdnews24.com.In addition, two individuals have been sentenced to one year in prison for illegal sand extraction near the Dholai Bridge.

The convicted are Shafiq Ahmed, 40, son of Mohammad Abdullah, and Mohammad Quddus,...