Patuakhali: Four illegal brick kilns have been demolished in the Bauphal upazila of the district. Besides, a brick kiln owner, Md. Hanif, has been sentenced to three months in prison and fined Taka one lakh in default.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a mobile court was conducted by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Pratik Kumar Kunda, who demolished the brick kilns. The operation involved dousing the burning kilns and soaking raw bricks with water using a fire service vehicle. The drive was conducted between 9 am and 2 pm today.
Department of Environment Deputy Director Mostafizur Rahman and Bauphal Land Office Surveyor Kamrul Hasan were present during the operation. The brick kilns that were demolished include PVC Bricks in Baufal’s Kachipara union, and SGR Bricks, Satata Bricks, and Khanjahan Bricks in the Gopaliya area of the same union.
Of these, PVC Bricks owner Monir Hossain was fined Taka one lakh, while SGR Bricks owner Md. Sagar received a fine of Taka 50,000. Additionally, the owner of Satata Bricks was fined Taka one lakh. The mobile court set a time limit of 4 pm for him to pay the fine. Failure to pay the fine within the stipulated time will result in a three-month prison sentence.
Executive Magistrate Pratik Kumar Kunda stated that these brick fields lacked an approved license or clearance from the Department of Environment, which led to their demolition.