A mobile court has raided a metal smelting and transformer repair factory that has been operating illegally for a long time in the Moushamandra Karpasa Road area of Haldia Union in Louhajang Upazila of Munshiganj. During the raid, the factory authorities were fined 50 thousand taka as per the Environment Protection Act, 1995. At the same time, the power connection of the factory has been disconnected.

According to local sources, the factory in the Goalimandra area was being operated under the name of ‘Transformer Factory’ for a long time. It is alleged that iron, copper, aluminum and other metals were melted in electric furnaces at night without the necessary legal documents including the clearance from the Department of Environment to make various machine parts. Locals claim that these products were later sold at Dholaikhal in Old Dhaka.

Apart from this, there are also allegations of repairing and renovating old transformers using various chemicals including acid and marketing them, and buying and selling stolen goods such as mobile towers and power connections. Locals allege that the factory has been carrying out activities that are risky for the environment for a long time. In addition, there are also allegations of drug addicts and drug use there. Local sources claim that a person named Nantu established the factory earlier by exerting political influence. It is alleged that two people named Mujibar and Alamin were currently controlling the activities of the factory.

The matter came to the attention of the administration after the news about the factory was published. In view of this, a mobile court was conducted there under the leadership of Louhajang Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Farzana Bobby Mitu. In the operation, the factory authorities were fined 50 thousand taka according to the Environment Protection Act, 1995 and the power connection of the factory was immediately disconnected.

During the operation, Assistant Director of the Department of Environment Md. Sanwar Hossain, local police members and representatives of Palli Bidyut were present. The administration has informed that necessary action will be taken as per the law against environmentally harmful and illegal activities.