HC questions govt inaction to save Surma

The High Court (HC) yesterday questioned the government's failure to take steps to protect and preserve Surma River in Sylhet from constant garbage dumping and pollution.

The court issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why inaction to stop dumping of garbage in and around the Surma River would not be declared illegal.

The court also asked the government why it should not be directed to take immediate steps to stop garbage dumping in the river, and instructed to protect it from pollution and to preserve its beauty.

The bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice AKM Zahirul Hoque issued the order with the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Barrister Fazlur Rahman Milon, executive director of Justice Watch Foundation, a rights organisation. He submitted the petition on April 8 as a public interest litigation.