Sunamganj Correspondent: Chhatak in Sunamganj is one of the industrial areas of Sylhet division. Chhatak has a reputation as an industrial city since ancient times. Road, water and rail connectivity have helped Chhatak develop into this industrial city. In addition to the government cement factory, there is a cement plant of multinational cement company LafargeHolcim, Akij’s paper mill, and many small and large stone and lime businesses. Hundreds of other companies have been established in the area to do various contracting work for these companies. The most well-known and reputable company among the industrial companies in Chhatak is LafargeHolcim Bangladesh. The role of this company in strengthening the economy of Chhatak is undeniable. The company has won national awards for playing an important role in improving the quality of life of the people of Chhatak in the past. It received the Green Factory Award from the Bangladesh government in 2023 for its role in protecting and developing the local environment.

A person named Aynul Ahmed, a resident of Noarai Union in Chhatak, has started a campaign against such a company. He introduces himself as a digital creator on social media. Local businessmen have alleged that Aynul wants to control all the contracting businesses of LafargeHolcim. They said that Aynul is running various campaigns against the company to fulfill his nefarious purposes. He tries to get the work by spreading various false information without participating in any tender properly. This has created intense anger among the business community as well as the general public in Chhatak.
Regarding these vile activities of Aynul, Chhatak businessman Hatem Ali Liton said, “I have heard that Aynul has opened an organization called ‘Civil Environment and Youth Welfare Organization’. Using the name of this organization, he is spreading propaganda against LafargeHolcim. No developmental work has come to our attention by this organization. I have not heard that it has done any work for the development of youth and environment so far. Its only job is to spread false and fabricated information against Lafarge and to file complaints to various departments using the pad of this organization.”
Villagers’ allegations: Aynul not only spreads propaganda against the company, but also lobbies for contracting work from within.
Tengargaon village resident Dulal Mia said, “Every time the time comes for soil collection, Aynul’s running around increases. He starts thinking of various tricks to get the work of soil transportation. Now I have heard that he has also filed a case after not getting the work.”
Investigations into the case revealed that in 2018, Aynul, under the banner of his organization, had accused LafargeHolcim of damaging the environment by mining air, water and soil. In response to that petition, the High Court formed a three-member investigation committee comprising representatives of the district administration and the Department of Environment. The investigation committee visited the area on-site and found no truth to Aynul’s allegations. The committee made some recommendations. LafargeHolcim implemented all those recommendations and submitted a report to the Department of Environment.
Another resident of the same village, who did not want to be named, said, “I heard that this time he had offered to supply 500,000 tons of soil to Lafarge. After failing, he filed a case in court against Lafarge’s soil collection.”
LafargeHolcim collects soil through contractors in the area every few years, subject to the permission of the District Administrator and fulfillment of all conditions.
When contacted about the complaint, Aynul said, “I filed a complaint with the administration on behalf of the local residents to prevent environmental pollution, illegal cutting of agricultural land, and air pollution.”

However, after talking to the local residents on the spot, no truth was found in Aynul’s complaint. All of them alleged that Aynul alone wants to control the contracting business of collecting this soil.

Regarding Aynul’s complaint about the destruction of cropland, Imtiaz Ali, a member of the same village, said, “No cropland soil is taken by the Lafarge. Soil is only cut from uncultivated land. The lands from which soil will be taken this year can be cultivated with boro in the next season. Those who gave soil earlier are now cultivating boro in those uncultivated lands. There is no aman or aus in this land. It remains under flood water for 5/6 months.”
When contacted, the company’s Head of Communications, Touhidul Islam, said that LafargeHolcim has always been environmentally conscious and law-abiding. For the past 25 years, LafargeHolcim has been conducting various sustainable development activities to improve the quality of life and environment of the locals.
However, as per the company’s policy, he did not comment on the court.
Meanwhile, the locals are upset with Aynul’s actions and demand the immediate withdrawal of the false case.