Despite repeated administrative raids, fines, and the destruction of production materials by the authorities in Mithapukur, Rangpur, the menace of producing adulterated jaggery (gur) shows no sign of stopping. As a result, the audacity of adulterated jaggery producers and traders is increasing day by day.
Neither occasional mobile court raids, fines, destruction of production equipment, nor warnings by the local administration are able to halt the production and marketing of adulterated jaggery. Naturally, a question has arisen among local residents: Are mobile court raids and fines alone sufficient, or is strict and effective law enforcement needed to shut down these illegal factories permanently?
Reports reveal that in several houses located in Shukurerhat Pashchim Genarpara and Phulchouki Khamarpara areas of Moyenpur Union under Mithapukur Upazila, adulterated jaggery is being produced throughout the night using harmful artificial colors, dyes, vermilion (sidur), rotten sweets, sweet residue (gad), chalk powder, expired molasses (chitagur), sugar, and various chemicals.
Ahead of the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja, this manufacturing and marketing cycle of adulterated jaggery is operating on an even larger scale than usual.
According to locals' complaints, Mukul Mia and Hanif Mia from Phulchouki Khamarpara, and Mursalim Islam Choton, Nalu Mia, and Mokleshar from Pashchim Genarpara have been producing and marketing this adulterated jaggery for a long time.
It is worth noting that over the past two years, the Mithapukur Upazila Administration, Assistant Commissioner (Land), Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, Police, and RAB have conducted raids at least 20 times on these factories. Despite imposing hefty fines through mobile courts, destroying manufactured adulterated jaggery and equipment, and warning the accused individuals, the activities have not stopped.
According to locals who spoke on condition of anonymity, manufacturing activities pause briefly during administrative raids, but slowly return to normalcy once the raids conclude. These unscrupulous producers continue to seize opportunities to run their operations with renewed vigor.
Local conscious citizens demand that instead of limiting actions to administrative raids and fines, necessary permanent measures must be taken to stop the production and marketing of these harmful adulterated items.
Regarding this, Mithapukur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Parvez stated that drives against the production and marketing of adulterated jaggery are and will remain ongoing. From now on, even stricter measures will be taken if necessary.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Motahar Hossain, Mithapukur (Rangpur) • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
