In the quiet village of Bamon Sardar under Annadanagar union in Rangpur’s Pirgacha upazila, the green promise of agriculture has turned into despair.

Toxic emissions from an allegedly illegal brick kiln have destroyed crops across 41 acres of farmland, impacting at least 78 farmers and threatening their livelihoods.

Once a thriving agricultural area, the village now bears the scars of pollution: scorched gourd vines, premature fruit drop from mango and jackfruit trees, and paddy fields where rice has turned black or yielded only chaff. Local farmers blame the MS Bricks kiln for repeated crop destruction, citing the burning of hazardous materials including plastic, medical waste, and shoe scraps.

Following site visits and multiple meetings, the upazila administration assessed the damage and fixed compensation at BDT 500 per decimal, totaling BDT 835,000. While the kiln owner, Mominul Islam, initially agreed to the compensation, farmers report they have yet to receive any funds. Promised payouts on two separate occasions were not fulfilled.

“My 1.3 acres of paddy are completely ruined,” said farmer Prodip Barman. “I spent over BDT 30,000 on cultivation and hoped to earn BDT 100,000. Now I have nothing. Even the agreed compensation is being delayed or reduced to BDT 300–400 per decimal.”

Other farmers echoed similar experiences. “This is the fourth year our crops have been scorched,” said Shishir Kumar. “The owner never admits fault. This time, he falsely accused us of using herbicide.”

Several farmers also alleged intimidation by kiln personnel. Dinanath, a resident of the area, said the kiln manager threatened physical harm when he raised concerns. “Even our jackfruit and mango trees are affected,” he said. “When I complained, I was threatened with violence.”

Land disputes have also emerged. Shreemoti Shanti Rani reported the illegal occupation of four decimals of her land by the kiln, for which she has not received any payment. “They haven’t paid me for over a year. When I protested, they insulted me and pushed my son.”

Kiln owner Mominul Islam, also the BNP’s Rangpur City Ward-28 Convener, denied the allegations. “I have called them to collect the money, but they haven’t come,” he told The Daily Observer. He disputes the extent of the damage, claiming only 10% of the land was affected and offering BDT 200,000 as compensation.

The kiln operates without an environmental clearance certificate or a valid license. When visited, piles of hazardous waste, including shoes and plastic, were found on the premises. Mominul claims the facility operates under a stay order from the High Court.

Despite this, local residents report a pattern of inaction and evasion. One kiln employee admitted that previous compensation funds were handed to a former manager but never distributed to farmers.

Pirgacha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nazmul Haque Suman confirmed that 70 to 80 farmers were affected and that the administration is reviewing the matter again due to disputes over the extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, the consequences have gone beyond economics. Local resident Sushanta Kumar Barman said his father suffered a stroke after losing all his crops. “Every year our crops are destroyed. Pregnant women are giving birth to children with disabilities or cancer,” he added. “We urge the authorities to act decisively.”

Despite repeated assurances from both the administration and the kiln owner, justice remains elusive. With livelihoods in jeopardy and health at risk, the farmers of Bamon Sardar continue to wait — surrounded by smoke, loss, and broken promises.