A poultry farm has continued running just beside Chemi Dalupara Primary School in Bandarban Sadar upazila, posing serious health risk for the students and teachers.

“One Mong Kyaw Ching set up the poultry farm adjacent to the school a few years ago. Students often feel sick in the classroom due to the stink from chicken manure,” said Monoj Kanti Barua, headmaster of the school.

“We submitted an application to the upazila administration regarding this issue but no action has been taken,” he said.

There are 264 students and most of them are from indigenous communities.

“Wai Nu Marma of Class II and Ching Cha Wai of Class III fell sick a few days ago, so many others now feel afraid to come to school,” said the headmaster.

“It is difficult for us to stay in the classroom due to the intolerable stink. We often face breathing problems. We want relief from it,” said Hla Ching Marma, a Class V student.

Mong Kyaw Ching, the poultry farm owner, said, “I set up the farm on my own land a few years ago. If it really creates problem for the students I will remove it.”

Sharmin Akther, upazila nirbahi officer of Bandarban Sadar, said, “I will contact the owner of the poultry farm soon.”

Chicken manure, containing salmonella and campylobacter, poses various risks to human health, said doctors.