DoE director comes under attack

A director of the Department of Environment (DoE) was brutally attacked by workers while he was returning with a team which confiscated goods during a raid at a banned polythene factory in Old Dhaka.

The victim, Director, Monitoring & Enforcement Md. Sawqat Ali, suffered injuries to various parts of his head and face during the attack in Chawkbazar area on Sunday.

Locals rescued him and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, which provided him necessary treatment and conducted medical tests before letting him go home.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Additional Secretary Tapan Kumar Biswas told the FE that Sawqat Ali is under an observation period of 72 hours as his injuries are serious.

A deputy secretary from the environment ministry led the drive.

She told the FE that a case has been filed and police are taking strict action in this regard.

The drive was conducted in an illegal polythene factory named Mayer Doa (mother's blessing) in Old Dhaka.

"We sealed off the factory, disconnected electricity and seized the goods and materials. But, over a hundred workers gathered suddenly around the congested road way to the factory and created an obstacle," the deputy secretary said.

She added that the workers snatched the confiscated materials after vandalising seized machines and trucks loaded with goods.

At one point during the attack they beat Sawqat Ali mercilessly, she further said.

The owner of the factory defiantly facilitated the attack, she alleged, saying that they "will continue the drive and update their strategy to ensure safety of the government employee."

"It seemed to be a preplanned attack on an on-duty government official. This is an unlawful act and we must deal with it legally," Mr. Biswas added.

Reiterating the government commitment to continue the legal drives against illegal polythene, he said this decision was taken for the sake of the people and to protect the environment.

Despite resistance from vested interests, the crackdown on illegal polythene bags will continue, said environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan in a statement.

Approximately 12.5 million polythene bags are discarded daily, contributing to severe pollution in the country.

During the anti-polythene drives under nine mobile courts- 21 cases were filed, Tk 105,500 fined and confiscated approximately 2,387 kilograms of banned polythene.

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