File photo of Bangladesh High CourtThe court asked the Environment and Forests secretary, the Director General of Department of Environment, the Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban, the Superintendent of Police, and six other respondents, to comply with the order and submit a report within 30 daysThe High Court on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to immediately stop stone extraction from the Sangu and Matamuhuri Rivers in Bandarban district. The High Court bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal, issued the order after hearing a writ petition in this connection. The court asked the Environment and Forests secretary, the Director General of Department of Environment, the Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban, the Superintendent of Police, and six other respondents, to comply with the order and submit a report within 30 days. The court also issued a rule seeking explanation as to why their inaction and failure to stop stone extraction from the said rivers should not be declared illegal. Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Bangladesh Adibashi Forum, Nijera Kori, Kapaeeng Foundation, Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), and Mong Soipru Khaiyam, a local resident, jointly filed the writ petition.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 24, 2019 16:07 UTC