Brick crisis in Khagrachari: Road blockade, public suffering due to the demand of opening of closed brick kilns

Due to the closure of brick kilns under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment and the High Court, there has been an acute shortage of bricks in Khagrachari. Leaders and activists of brick kiln owners, workers and various labor organizations protested by blocking the road to resolve this crisis and to reopen the closed brick kilns.

On Sunday (December 21) around 10:30 a.m., a protest march came out from Shapla Chattar in Khagrachari city. The procession went in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and took a position on the road. After that, the road blockade continued till 1:30 in the afternoon.

At that time, although small vehicles were plying on alternative routes, passenger buses and cargo vehicles were stopped. As a result, traffic jams and extreme public suffering are created throughout the city.

Harunur Rashid, General Secretary of Khagrachhari Bricklayer Owners Association said,
“In the current season, not a single brick kiln is functioning anywhere in the district. As a result, there has been a severe brick shortage in the entire district. On the one hand, government development projects worth hundreds of crores of rupees have stalled, and on the other hand, thousands of brick kiln workers are unemployed and living a miserable life.”

He also said that if the operation of the brick kiln is allowed in compliance with all the rules and regulations of the environment, the development activities will be activated and the livelihood of the workers will be protected.

Khagrachari Brickyard Owners Association President Hafez Ahmed Bhuiyan, Contractors Welfare Association President Mahbub Alam Sabuj, Member Secretary Samar Bikas Chakma, Tribal Contractors Welfare Association President Rip Rip Chakma, Masons Welfare Cooperative President Md. President of Razzak and Tractor Driver Welfare Association. Leaders of various organizations including Ibrahim.

At the end of the program, brick kiln owners and workers presented a memorandum to Khagrachari District Commissioner. At this time, the District Commissioner said.Anwar Sadat assured to bring the matter to the attention of higher authorities.