An auto rice mill named ‘Mithila Rice Mill’ was set up at Dattapur under Bagmara Union of Cumilla’s Lalmai Upazila about a decade ago occupying a part of the Dakatiya River, and now its- polluting the river.
Dakatiya river flows through 5 upazilas of Cumilla and joins the Meghna at Chandpur. At one time different goods used to come and go in boats through this river. As a result of filling and occupying of the river and construction of various structures, the river became slender. Now there are no more boats plying on this river.
Local UP Chairman Abul Qasim allegedly set up the auto rice mill by occupying the Dakatia river adjacent to the Bagmara Dattapur bridge on the Cumilla-Noakhali regional highway. Toxic waste from the rice mill is constantly being dumped into the river. As a result, the environment of the area has become polluted and the river water is becoming unusable. It is learned that local farmers and other commoners are being severely affected by the polluted water of the river.
The aggrieved locals expressing their displeasure said that Chairman Abul Qasim used his influence to occupy the river and to set up a rice mill. Mill paddy washing water, feces, urine, toxic oil and other wastes of the mill are being dumped in the river regularly. As a result, the river water has turned poisonous black with horrible stench. If a person gets down into the river water their body swells up badly. The water of this river is no longer being used by the farmers for agricultural purposes.
Moreover, no native species of fish can be seen in the river now. The foul smelling dirty water has poisoned the river water up to 3-5 km on both sides of the rice mill. As a result, mosquito infestation is on the rise there. In the local mosque set next to the mill, the worshipers are being prevented from praying due to the stench of the poisonous black water, added the locals. Local farmers Abdul
Barek, Sahidul and Jahangir said that the owner of this rice mill is an influential person.
He has occupied a part of the river to set up the mill on the one hand and polluting the water of the river through dumping all the waste of the mill into it on the other hand.
We locals are having trouble breathing because of the horrible stench coming from the polluted river water. Many people are suffering from various diseases due to coming in touch with the dirty water. Moreover, we are in trouble because mosquitoes are breeding from the stinking water of the river, they added.
In this regard, the owner of the mill Abul Qasim said, there is no waste in the river, denying the allegations brought against him.
Lalmai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ajit Dev said, “I joined the post recently. I will visit the spot and take action, if necessary.”
“We have already fined the mill owner. Necessary legal action will be taken in consultation with Cumilla Deputy Commissioner”, said Shawkat Ara Kali, Deputy Director of the Cumilla district office of the Environment Department.
