Campaign against illegal brick kilns: Owners, workers block Dhaka-Aricha highway in protest
Brick kiln owners and workers in Savar blocked a portion of the Dhaka-Aricha Highway today (4 March) to protest the district and upazila administration's ongoing campaign against illegal brick kilns.
The protest has caused traffic jams on both sides of the highway.
Forty-five minutes into the protest, the demonstrators were dispersed by members of the army.
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Speaking to The Business Standard, Savar Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Saugatul Alam said protesters were still standing on the side of the road.
Police and army members were present at the scene.
The demonstration began around 2pm, Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Jewel Mia told The Business Standard.
Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Abu Bakar Sarkar told TBS, "There is a directive from the High Court that all illegal brick kilns must be demolished by the 17th and we are working in accordance with that directive."
After blocking the highway for about 45 minutes, the army members tried to convince the protesters to move off the road, but they did not respond, so the army members chased the protesters and dispersed them.
One of the protesting brick kiln owners from Salehpur, who runs AZB & Company, said, "The upazila administration is suddenly demolishing our kilns, including their chimneys. We have invested Tk3-4 crore in each brick field. If they destroy them like this, we will be ruined. If the kilns must be shut down, we demand at least three months to prepare. We will leave this business if needed, but we need time. Each kiln supports at least 200 families—where will they go?"
Several brick kiln workers stated that the kilns had been operating without any problems for over a decade. However, the administration is now shutting them down.
They questioned, "If the kilns close, where will we go? How will we make a living? We need answers! Each kiln provides jobs for 300-400 workers—what will happen to us now?"
Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Abu Bakr Sarker said, "The Honorable High Court has ordered that all illegal brick kilns must be demolished by 17 March. We are implementing this directive as per the court's order."
