Five illegal brick kilns, built on agricultural land in violation of environmental laws, were demolished today in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram.

The Kurigram District Administration, along with the District Department of Environment (DoE), carried out a daylong drive and demolished the illegal brick kilns using excavators.

Badruzzaman Rishad, executive magistrate at the Kurigram Deputy Commissioner's Office, who led the drive, confirmed the operation.

The illegal brick kilns were identified as MSH Bricks, WAH Bricks, and KB Bricks in Kashipur Union, MAB Bricks in Baravita Union, and JMS Bricks in Shimulbari Union.

According to DoE officials in Kurigram, these brick kilns were operating without the required environmental clearance and licences from the DC's office.

Rezaul Karim, assistant director of DoE in Kurigram, said a mobile court had earlier conducted drives at these brick kilns last month and fined them.

However, the owners resumed operations in secret, defying the ban. As a result, the illegal kilns were completely demolished using excavators during today's joint operation, he added.

The DoE official further said that of the six brick kilns in Phulbari upazila, only one has proper authorisation. The ongoing drive against illegal brick kilns will continue, he affirmed.