Shut down illegal brick kilns in Ctg in seven days: HC

The High Court yesterday directed the authorities concerned of the government to shut down illegal brick kilns in Chattogram in a week in order to save the environment.

The HC also asked the authorities to find out those involved in damaging farmland and hills, burning woods and polluting environment by running illegal brick kilns and to submit a list of their names and addresses to this court in 30 days.

The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why its inaction to shut down the illegal brick kilns should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), seeking necessary directives.

Following newspaper reports on running of illegal brick kilns and serious air pollution, the HRPB submitted the petition to the HC on November 29 seeking its order on the authorities to shut down the illegal brick kilns at different upazilas including Lohagara in Chattogram.

While hearing the petition, petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told the HC that hundreds of illegal brick kilns are running in different areas in Chattogram, but officials of the government are not taking necessary action against them.