A little boy is seen selling polythene bags at a wholesale market in Gazipur. -Mahabubul Alam
The illicit trade of polythene is allegedly going on unabated through a syndicate in collusion with the local administration. Though complaints have been submitted to offices concerned to this end, no actions have been taken.
During a recent visit at the kitchen market at Mowna Chowrasta under Sreepur upazila of Gazipur, it was seen that environment-destroying polythene bags were being sold wholesale and retail. When asked, polythene trader Jasim Uddin said, we purchase polythene bags wholesale from traders in Bhogra Bypass area of Gazipur city.
Then we sell these polythene bags to traders from different areas including Bormi, Sreepur and Kawraid. These polythene bags are supplied from Dhaka's Lalbagh and Gazipur's Tongi Bazar area, he added. A polythene trader told this correspondent over mobile phone that he has been doing the business of polythene bags for about 4-5 years. For continuing the business, he has to pay police on monthly basis.
Nazrul Islam, who complained against polythene trade, said, "As I made a complaint to the then deputy minister for environment and forests Abdullah Al Islam Jakob for stopping the illegal polythene business in Gazipur, he gave directive to a director of the department of environment to take action in this regard. Besides, written complaints were also made to Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the department of environment. But trading of polythene is going on unabated in Gazipur.
Sreepur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Shamsul Arefin said, I have just joined here. I am not aware of the polythene business. I will take necessary actions if such illegal act happens. Jabedul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sreepur Police Station, said the allegation of taking money by police isn't true. We will take necessary actions against illegal polythene trade. Abdus Salam, deputy director of the DoE Gazipur office, said mobile courts will be conducted against the illegal polythene business.
---Mahbubul Alam, Gazipur
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