Illegal soil transport allegedly blocks canal in Jhenaidah

An illegal brick kiln owner has allegedly filled up a canal to transport soil for brick production in Kaliganj upazila of Jhenaidah, raising concerns among farmers about possible drainage problems during the monsoon.
Locals said the owner of Firoza Bricks cut the banks of Nimai’s canal at Ishwarba village and constructed temporary embankments across it to allow tractors to carry soil to the kiln.
During a recent visit, the Daily Sun correspondent saw that parts of the canal bank were found cut and two cross dams built inside the canal, creating a makeshift passage used by tractors transporting soil.
Residents alleged that soil cutting begins after 8pm and continues until dawn, with around 30 tractors reportedly involved in the operation.
Sources said soil is being excavated with an excavator from a pond in Ishwarba field owned by Zakaria Hossain of Chachra village and transported to the Firoza Bricks kiln in Padabila village.
Nimai’s canal runs from Ishwarba village fields to the Simla baor and serves as a vital drainage channel for farmland in at least four villages during the rainy season.
Several villagers, requesting anonymity, alleged that illegal soil traders are not only using the canal route but are also cutting its banks and taking that soil to the brick kiln.
Contacted over phone, brick kiln owner Zakaria Hossain said he owns a pond of about 12 bighas in Ishwarba field, which has been leased to a person named Rocky from the village. He claimed he is unaware of any soil extraction or transportation activities.
Selim Hossain, proprietor of Firoza Bricks, said soil is the main raw material for brick production, but the kiln does not collect it directly from excavation sites. Instead, it is supplied through local middlemen.
He said a supplier named Enamul Islam from Ishwarba village is currently delivering soil to the kiln, but he does not know where the soil is being sourced from or how it is being extracted.
The supplier Enamul Islam admitted using the canal route after villagers allegedly barred him from transporting soil through village roads. He also acknowledged that the canal had been filled unintentionally and said it would be restored after the soil transportation work is completed.
Farmer Alamgir Hossain Bhuyian expressed concern that if the canal remains filled, water drainage during the monsoon could be obstructed, potentially damaging paddy and other crops.
Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rezwana Nahid said she visited the site after receiving complaints but did not find anyone involved at the time. She added that the matter will be investigated and necessary action will be taken.