In the quiet village of Jot Konezpur under the Kashimpur Union of Jessore Sadar Upazila, residents are grappling with a growing crisis. An industrial facility, ASI Renewable Energy Industry, has turned into a source of anxiety and anger for locals, who claim it releases thick toxic smoke and foul odors into the air—especially at night. While officially shut down by the Department of Environment (DoE) due to multiple complaints, villagers report that the factory is secretly operational again during the nighttime.

Set amidst agricultural land, the factory has become a source of persistent suffering for the people living nearby. Residents assert they still do not know exactly what is manufactured inside the compound, but they are well aware of the intense pollution it generates. Reports confirm that the factory burns used tires to extract fuel oil, primarily used in road construction projects.

Locals say the stench and black smoke released during these operations are unbearable. Many are experiencing health complications, including respiratory problems, while crops have also been severely affected. Villagers had previously raised their concerns to the authorities, prompting the DoE to conduct an inspection and shut the plant down on March 16. A red signboard was placed at the factory gate declaring the closure.

However, local accounts indicate that this was a short-lived relief. Soon after the closure, the signboard vanished, and activities quietly resumed—but only at night. According to residents, laborers are brought in from outside the area, and the plant becomes operational after dark. Work continues until the early hours of dawn before the factory is shut again and the workers disappear.

Atikur Rahman, a resident of nearby Kacharipara, said that his breathing difficulties have worsened due to the smoke. Another villager, Ainal Hossain, voiced his despair, pleading for authorities to save them from what he called a “curse.” Elderly resident Shahjahan Kabir echoed the sentiment, saying he could no longer endure the agony and questioned the effectiveness of the law. Farmer Harunur Rashid reported that the emissions have destroyed his entire crop of eggplants, and other fields have also been damaged beyond recovery.

During a recent visit to the factory site, the gates were found padlocked. Despite pressing the calling bell and knocking for a long time, no one came to the entrance. Local school student Raihan and rickshaw van driver Rafiqul, who were standing nearby, claimed they have never seen the factory’s inner workings. However, they’ve frequently heard that tires are incinerated inside to produce oil. They confirmed that the area becomes nearly uninhabitable when the factory is in operation due to the stench and thick smoke. They also stated that security cameras are installed around the compound and that workers remain inside during nighttime operations, but the gate is never opened during the day.

The apparent nighttime activity has left villagers feeling helpless and betrayed, especially after their earlier relief when the authorities intervened. Many are now questioning how such a factory could resume operations without detection, especially after an official closure.

When contacted, Soumen Moitra, a research officer of the Department of Environment in Jessore, confirmed that the factory was previously sealed following complaints from local residents. He said the factory did not have an updated clearance from the department and was accused of causing significant air pollution. He reiterated that the DoE had taken necessary actions, including placing a closure notice on the factory gate.

Mohammad Emdadul Haque, the Deputy Director of the DoE in Jessore, stated that the factory was indeed involved in producing fuel oil from tire combustion, which posed serious environmental threats. As a result, it had been officially shut down. He added that, to his knowledge, the facility remains closed. However, he acknowledged that no formal complaints had yet been lodged about renewed operations at night. He assured that if any fresh complaints were received, an immediate investigation and follow-up action would be conducted.

Meanwhile, villagers continue to live in fear—not just for their health but also for their livelihoods, as the smoke from the factory continues to damage crops and create a noxious environment in the surrounding areas. With trust in local enforcement waning, the people of Jot Konezpur are left waiting and hoping for a more permanent resolution to a problem that seems to thrive in the shadows.