Demolished brickfields resume operations

Farmers of Purbo Saptana in Sadar upazila are getting frustrated as two illegal brickfields, demolished by the local administration about a year ago, have resumed their operation in full swing again.

Earlier, in February last year, a mobile court of the Department of Environment (DoE) demolished SUN Bricks and SIR Bricks, set up illegally at Purbo Saptana village in Lalmonirhat municipality.

Surprisingly, the owners' repaired the two brick kilns soon after the mobile court left the area and resumed operations once again.

Local farmers alleged that although the two illegal brickfields were demolished in 2021, they never stopped their operations.

The two brick kilns, set up illegally on cropland about 18 years ago, are running their operations in full swing now, they said.

They said although the DoE took the action in the face of agitation from local farmers, but to no result.

Farmers said due to emission of toxic smoke and heat the croplands around the brickfields are losing its fertility, they alleged.

As a result, they were not getting expected production from their croplands.

Farmer Abdul Quader, 65, said owners of the two brickfields are so influential that no one dares to protest the illegal act.

"'If activities of the two illegal brickfields are not stopped immediately, our agricultural production will completely stop,' Quader said.

Contacted, Entazur Rahman, owner of SIR Bricks, and Ashikur Rahman, owner of SUN Bricks, said they do not want to make any comment in this regard.

Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmuda Masum said she has joined the upazila recently and doesn't know any details about the two brickfields.

Rangpur DoE Deputy Director Mez-Babul Alam said during the demolition owners of the two illegal brickfields were fined a total of Tk 7 lakh.

They were also instructed to remove all the equipment from the place, he said, adding that they will soon conduct another drive against the two brickfields for the violation of rules.