Jhalakathi, Apr 24 (V7N)- In a crackdown on environmental violations, an illegal brick kiln named M/s Star Bricks in Baukathi village of Jhalokati Sadar Upazila has been shut down by a joint operation of the Sadar Upazila Administration and the Department of Environment on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

The action follows a clear verdict from the High Court on March 18, 2025, which declared brick kilns operating without environmental clearance as illegal and subject to demolition. This ruling has prompted the Department of Environment to intensify its drive against such illegal operations.

The mobile court leading the operation was conducted by Sadar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Farhana Yasmin, with prosecution provided by Inspector Md. Aminul Haque of the Jhalokati District Office of the Department of Environment.

Anjuman Nesa, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment, Jhalakathi District Office, informed the media that the owner of M/s Star Bricks, Faruk Sardar, was fined Tk 100,000 for violating Section 5 of the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013 (Amended-2019). Simultaneously, the fire in the kiln was extinguished using fire service equipment, and the brick kiln's activities were halted by destroying the raw bricks.

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