A. A. Abir Akash, Lakshmipur Correspondent:
28 illegal brick kilns have been set up in one union in Ramgati, Lakshmipur, ignoring the rules and regulations. Out of these, 14 brick kilns are operating in one ward of that union without any other legality including environmental clearance. Although tall chimneys are used, wood is being burned instead of coal.
Roads have also become impassable due to the reckless tractors of the landslides. This has affected 15,000 residents of a ward. Crop production is being disrupted as the landslides are taking away the fertile soil of the land. The environment and public life are under threat.
On-site visits to two brick kilns on Azad Memorial Road and Syed Maulvi Chowdhury's Hat Road in the union showed that the kilns were burning bricks in a hurry. Several hundred maunds of wood (wood) were piled up in the kiln area. Some workers were cutting soil from the pile and mixing it with water. While others were busy making bricks. Child laborers were seen turning the bricks upside down to dry them. The children took up the task of drying the bricks for a daily wage of 100 taka. Some started working with a fixed salary according to the season.
The brick kilns have been in operation since November throughout the dry season. Of the 14 brick kilns in Ward No. 5, the owners of Rafiq Bricks and Ashraf Bricks have said that their kilns do not have any legal documents. There are allegations that Upazila Vice Chairman Rahid Hossain and some other kiln owners have built the brick kilns in exchange for illegal money. The kilns are run with their connivance.
Mizanur Rahman, son of Rafiq Ulya, the owner of Rafiq Bricks, said, "Last year, the Department of Environment fined us Tk 2 lakh for burning wood in the kiln instead of coal. Later, we applied for a concession letter from the Department of Environment, but we have not received approval yet." He claimed that if the administration shuts down the other 27 kilns, then this one will also be shut down.
He said that this time they will make 5 million bricks. In addition, three brick kiln owners, who did not want to be named, said that their brick kilns do not have any legal documents. They have not been given any permission from the Department of Environment. Despite this, they have built kilns by spending crores of taka.
Ashraf Bricks owner Md. Ashraf refused to speak to the media. However, he said that like the other 27 brick kilns in the union, the kiln is also running. He does not have a permit from the Department of Environment to run the kiln. He does not have any other valid documents.
Local Awami League leader Abul Kashem Nizam said, "Each brick kiln requires at least 20 acres of land. Out of this, 14 brick kilns occupy most of the land in a ward. Due to the smoke from the kilns, people are constantly swallowing thousands of tons of carbon dioxide. The human liver and respiratory system are being destroyed."
Admitting the 28 brick kilns, Charramij Union Parishad Chairman Mujahidul Islam Didar said, "The Union Parishad has no jurisdiction to take action against the kilns. The matter has been reported to the administration. Recently, 8 brick kilns were raided and fined. More than half a million people are suffering directly and indirectly due to the kilns in various ways."
Upazila Vice Chairman Rahid Hossain said, "The allegations against me are not true. Why will the kiln owners pay me? Apart from Char Ramiz, there are many illegal brick kilns in other unions as well. The upazila administration is conducting mobile court raids at different times and is imposing fines and demolishing brick kilns. Kiln owners have started burning bricks again. The Department of Environment can shut down the kilns."
Harun Or Rashid Pathan, Deputy Director of the Lakshmipur Environment Department, said, "We have conducted raids on a few brick kilns. Fines have also been imposed. The reports against them will be sent to the head office. We will take further action after a decision is made there. Our raids are also continuing."
In this regard, Ramgati Upazila Nirbhaya Officer (UNO) Syed Amjad Hossain said, there are instructions from the district administration to take action against illegal kilns. Mobile courts are being run against illegal brick kilns since November 7.
In the last 10 days, 8 brick kilns named Alauddin Brickfield, Gias Uddin Bricks, Rafiq Bricks, MS Bricks, Tisha Bricks, Amri Bricks, Fatima Naz Afra Bricks and Fardin Anam Bricks have been fined Tk 1 lakh and Tk 8 lakh each. Their campaign against illegal brick kilns will continue.
He further said, "I do not know whether the Upazila Vice Chairman or anyone else is taking extortion from the kiln owners. No one has complained to me. Legal action will be taken after lodging the complaint," the official said.
