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Factory goes, toxic waste still pollutes villages

MAMUN-UR-RASHID, Bogra
Years-long pollution caused by toxic liquid from recently closed Flamingo Agro-tech Limited still remains a nuisance for the people of several villages in Bogra, Naogaon and Joypurhat districts.
After establishment at Tilokpur of Akkelpur upazila in Joypurhat in 2005, the factory producing starch powder from potato started letting its waste materials pollute the nearby water bodies in the three adjoining districts, locals said.
It caused extensive damage to crops, death of cattle and chicken, and sickness to
many people, they said.
Quite a few villages in Adamdighi upazila of Bogra, Raninagar and Sadar upazilas of Naogaon, and Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat are affected by the situation.
Faced with serious protest from locals, the factory authorities closed it the same year.
But after a few months, it started operating again without any effluent treatment plant and continued causing pollution to environment, especially water bodies.
Following the demand of the people, the Department of Environment (DoE)
ordered its closure in April this year.
Meantime, waste materials and toxic liquid badly polluted the 10-kilometrem-long canal from Titakpur factory area to Shantahar Raktadaha Beel, and the stink created a horrible environment in the area.
"Drinking water from the canal, cattle, chicken, and fishes died. Many people got skin diseases by using the water," said Lutfar Rahman, a schoolteacher.
The authority concerned were informed of the matter but to no effect, said Abdul Mottakin Talukdar, chairman of Chatiangram union
parishad in Adamdighi upazila under Bogra district.
Asked about the matter, Mostakin Rahman, project engineer of the factory, said, "No waste materials other than the water used for washing potatoes were thrown into the nearby canal. Upon the demand of the locals, we have closed the factory. We do not know anything about the suffering of the people."
Director of DoE in Rajshahi division Ali Reja Mojid said, "Following allegations from locals, my office has made the factory authorities seal it off. Stern action will be taken if they violate the rule again."