Lalmohammad Kibria:
There have been allegations of environmental pollution caused by a local vehicle in Jhenaigati, Sherpur. The complaints have been made by local villagers and members of farming families.
The villagers said that in 2018, an influential person named Jamal Uddin, a local of Debottarpara village of Malizhikanda union of the upazila, has been running the business by setting up Jamal & Zahid Auto Rice Mill. The farmers of the area have alleged that since the beginning, the black smoke, dust, ash, sand, polluted water and waste from this rice mill have been causing damage to the houses, trees and crops of the surrounding area as well as causing serious damage to the environment. The locals said that the polluted water, ash and dust emitted from the rice mill have made the condition of the houses uncomfortable and unfit for living, besides seriously threatening the balance of the environment.
It has become difficult for the villagers to survive in the houses around the rice mill area. In addition, a pond was used to store polluted water and waste next to the rice mill. The pond was filled and the polluted water entered the farmers' cropland. This has rendered at least 50 acres of the farmers' cropland unfit for cultivation. The farmers are unable to cultivate these lands. The farmers are in extreme distress due to the damage. Since the establishment of the rice mill, the local farmers have been complaining about these issues. But while complaining, they were harmed by the rice mill owner. Since then, the farmers in the area have been suffering from the damage and no one has the courage to speak out against the influential rice mill owner. Even after the damage has been done, the local farmers have been silently enduring it.
There are allegations that Jamal Uddin has been operating a rice mill in the locality for a long time, but the Department of Environment and the local administration have been playing a silent role. Meanwhile, the farmers said that they have gone door to door with local dignitaries, political party leaders, workers, human rights activists, and media workers since the establishment of the rice mill, but nothing has been done. It is alleged that since the rice mill owner is influential, no one dares to speak out against him. Moreover, no one wants to speak out for the neglected farmers. Due to this, the rice mill owner Jamal Uddin, the farmer, has been operating his business freely, causing harm to the villagers. As a result, the farmers of the area are in extreme trouble.
This information was obtained by talking to and witnessing the farmers during an on-site investigation on Tuesday (February 18) afternoon. In this regard, rice mill owner Zahidul Islam said that the farmers' allegations are not entirely true. Ponds have been dug to conserve polluted water. He admitted that the mill dust and ash are going to the slums. He said that he will look into the matter when he talks to Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ashraful Alam Russell.
When contacted, Assistant Director of the Sherpur Department of Environment, Md. Nur Qutub Alam Siddique, said he was not aware of the matter. However, he said he would look into the matter.
Lal Md. Shahjahan Kibria
Sherpur
Tang- 18/02/25
