HC orders stop to sand extraction

The High Court yesterday ordered the government to immediately take necessary steps to stop unlawful extraction of sand from the Bangalee River in Dhunat upazila of Bogra.

In response to a writ petition, the court also directed the authorities concerned to take measures to stop extraction of sand through banned heavy machines from the riverbank adjacent to Bothuabari, Bilkajuli and Shakdah areas in Dhunat upazila.

It also issued a rule asking respondents to explain as to why they should not be directed to protect Bangalee River from such sand extraction.

In the rule, the court also asked them to show causes why they should not be ordered to collect compensation for the victims from those who are responsible for damaging ecological system, agricultural land, houses and important structures near the riverbank.

The land secretary, environment and forest secretary, national river commission, directors general of department of environment and Bangladesh Water Development Board, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police in Bogra, director (Rajshahi) of DoE, upazila nirbahi officer and assistant commissioner (land) of Dhunat, chairman of Dhunat sadar union-6 have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan passed the order and rule after hearing a writ petition, filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela) seeking necessary orders on the respondents to protect Bangali River.

Lawyer Minhazul Haque Chowdhury appeared for Bela.