Brick kilns on agri lands
A brick kiln is being set up in Amtali upazila on about four acres of land by a ruling party leader, violating the law that prohibits setting up of a brick field on agricultural land.
This correspondent saw over 100 labourers digging earth and building a chimney at Ghotkhali village on December 27 last year.
Amtali upazila Awami League vice-president Md Mazmul Ahsan Nannu is setting up the brick field named Akon Bricks.
“I took permission from the offices concerned, including the deputy commissioner, to set up the kiln,” said Nannu, also former mayor of Amtali municipality. But he declined to show any document in this connection, saying, “I will not tell you more about the matter.”
According to the Brick Making and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act 2013, nobody can set up a brick kiln on agricultural land, but a section of influential people have done so in the district.
Farmer Abdul Jalil Mollah said, “I have a piece of land near the kiln and I get 90 to 100 maunds of aman paddy per acre of land. But we will not be able to grow paddy as the field will become unfit for cultivation due to the affect of the kiln.”
Another farmer said many locals are forced to give their lands on lease for 12 years to the owner of the kiln as he is politically and economically powerful and influential.
Amtali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Mushfiqur Rahman said, “I don't know about the matter. I will look into it and check all relevant papers.”
Expressing his ignorance about the matter, Deputy Commissioner Dr Md Bashirul Alam said he would ask the UNO to look into it, and action would be taken if any illegality is found in this regard.
One Golam Faruque set up a brick kiln named M/s South Bricks, covering eight acres of agricultural land at Khailyan village beside the Patuakhali-Kukata road in the upazila in 2014. Two more kilns were set up in Tiakhali area of the same upazila last year.
Kamalapur Union Parishad Chairman Abdus Salam has also set up a brick kiln at Dharandee village occupying about six acres of agricultural land. Another kiln was set up covering five acres of land in the same village.
Around 20 brick kilns have been set up on agricultural land in Amtali upazila.
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