Brick kiln depletes topsoil, poses health hazard

A brick kiln in Pashchim Baniary area under Nazirpur upazila has been causing suffering to the villagers for years, but local administration and law enforcers have not taken any steps to stop the nuisance.

The kiln was set up by Chitalmari Upazila Parishad (UP) Chairman Mollah Mujibor Rahman Shamim around ten years ago, occupying lands of villagers, locals alleged.

Shamim's men forcibly collect topsoil from croplands of farmers to use in the kiln. If anybody protests, Shamim and his cohorts harass and torture the protestor.

Besides, the smoke emitted by the low-height chimney pollutes the environment round the clock, creating health hazards and affecting crop production.

Villagers filed complaints with the deputy commissioner (DC), superintendent of police (SP) and Nazirpur upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) last year. But no action has been taken so far.

Establishing a brick kiln on farmland or in a residential area is completely prohibited, as per the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act 2013. Violating the law, the brick kiln was illegally set up on cropland adjacent to residential area.

Shamim is very influential and rich, and he maintains connection with other influential quarters. That is why he remains unpunished, despite committing these misdeeds, locals said.

“Shamim grabbed two acres of my land. I went from door to door seeking justice, but I could not save my land,” said victim Mihir Biswas.

“Crop production has dropped drastically due to environment and soil pollution. Now it has become difficult for us to live in the village anymore,” said Baburam Mondal.

“If we protest against the offenses, we are tortured in different ways by Shamim,” alleged Aftabuddin Mollah.

This correspondent visited the area on December 6 last year and talked to around 30 victims at the village. Almost all of them made almost the same allegations.

Villagers said some families left the village, failing to survive after their lands were grabbed.

Nazirpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Digbijoy Hazra said he had visited the area and found that the brick kiln is causing serious harm to crop production there.

“We have informed the issue to the UNO and requested her to take necessary steps in this matter,” he told this correspondent.

Pirojpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Salam Kabir told this correspondent that he could not remember whether any complaint was filed or not. He suggested talking with the DC on this issue.

DC Abu Ali M Sazzad Hossain also said he could not remember whether he received such a complaint or not.

“If such complaints come to me, I forward it to the UNO concerned to look into the matter. Let me check the issue,” he told this correspondent.

UNO Rosy Akter said she had received such complaints and investigation into the allegations was going on.

Shamim could not be contacted over phone despite repeated attempts.