Illegal lead factory in Dhaka’s Keraniganj demolished by mobile court over pollution concerns. Locals celebrate victory rally after years of health hazards; authorities seize equipment and detain suspects during operation.
A mobile court has demolished an illegal lead production factory operating in the Abdullahpur area under South Keraniganj on the outskirts of Dhaka following allegations of severe environmental pollution and public health risks.
The operation was conducted on Friday night around 9:00pm in the Korergaon area led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Aftab Ahmed of Keraniganj Revenue Circle (South).
Authorities said the factory had been illegally processing scrap batteries to produce lead without clearance from the Department of Environment. Three individuals were detained during the drive while equipment and materials were seized and later auctioned for around Tk 300,000 with proceeds deposited into the state treasury.
Officials said the facility had previously been shut down multiple times but allegedly resumed operations at night and continued despite earlier warnings.
Residents said toxic fumes from the plant had been affecting the locality for years causing respiratory illnesses among children and elderly people while also damaging farmland and harming livestock.
Following the demolition residents staged a “victory rally” on Saturday afternoon expressing relief over what they described as the end of long standing environmental and health hazards. The procession moved through several roads in Abdullahpur before ending at the local bus stand.
The intervention reportedly followed sustained complaints from locals and engagement with political representatives including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and reserved seat lawmaker Nipun Roy Chowdhury who urged authorities to take action.
Sohanur Rahman Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global welcomed the move saying, “Informal and unregulated toxic industries like illegal lead smelting are a silent climate and public health crisis in Bangladesh. Strong enforcement must go hand in hand with just transition pathways for workers and communities affected by such shutdowns.”
Officials warned that strict legal action would be taken if any attempt is made to restart similar illegal operations in the area.
Keraniganj Executive Magistrate Aftab Ahmed said such unregulated facilities pose serious environmental and public health threats including air pollution, soil contamination and risks to livestock in surrounding areas.
