The fall of huge clinker dusts is also polluting the water of the Karnaphuli river threatening fish folks and aquatic plants, said the witnesses.

Local residents and owners of business installations have lodged complaints with the Chittagong Port Authority to stop unloading of clinkers at Sadarghat jetty.

Talking to The Daily Star, Chittagong port Magistrate Munir Chowdhury acknowledged the receipt of such complaints and said

" I have already told the parties concerned to take proper steps to protect the environment in line with the rules and regulations of the port. But they did not follow my instruction and as such I have decided to launch raids there with mobile court."

"We cannot allow any body in port area to create environmental hazards," he added.

Director of local environment department Mosharraf Hossain said he has started an enquiry in this connection for taking necessary action.

Sources said necessary equipment and modern facilities are not available at the lighterage jetties to handle the clinker cargoes.

But despite that the importers bring the open clinker cargoes to Sadarghat after unloading them from the mother vessel to offload there for mysterious reason, they added.

Port sources said Chittagong port has a particular jetty equipped with modern facilities near Patenga for offloading the clinker cargoes.