Residents of two villages in Kurigram staged a protest and human chain alleging authoritarian behaviour, bribery and a series of irregularities by two officials of the Department of Environment.
They claimed the officials had allowed a heavy industrial unit, Sufia Auto Flour Mill, to operate in a residential area in exchange for money.
The demonstration began on Thursday in front of the Kurigram deputy commissioner’s office.
People from Velakopa and Kechapara villages gathered for an hour-long human chain demanding action against Rezaul Karim, assistant director of the Kurigram office of the Department of Environment, and Nur Alam, an officer from the Rangpur divisional office.
Residents said the officials’ alleged misconduct had allowed the mill to continue operating despite repeated complaints.
Joining the protest on behalf of the villagers, resident Harunur Rashid said they had lodged complaints with several government offices but none had been resolved, adding that families were no longer able to live peacefully in their own homes.
Protesters said the mill’s loud, continuous noise has made life unbearable, shaking their homes whenever operations are underway. They added that waste water from the mill is being discharged into agricultural land, damaging crops.
They also complained that heavy trucks use the narrow village road throughout the day, causing damage and frequent accidents.
Speakers at the human chain, including locals Mohammad, Rashidul Islam and Harunur Rashid, said unethical benefits taken by corrupt officials had allowed the illegal flour mill to survive. They demanded the immediate closure of the mill and warned of a larger movement if no action was taken.
Earlier on Wednesday, the two environment officials faced strong objections from villagers after visiting the mill for an inspection. Residents alleged the officials held a long meeting with the factory authorities, ignored local opinions and later threatened villagers, saying the mill would not be closed.
Asked about the allegations, Kurigram Department of Environment assistant director Rezaul Karim said, “All the allegations are false. Our superior is new, and we visited the factory as part of our duties.”
Sufia Auto Flour Mill owner Saiful Islam Apollo said, “All my documents are legal, and I have approval from the Department of Environment. I run my business lawfully here. A group is conspiring to shut down my mill.”
