Stop sand extraction from Surma river: HC

The High Court yesterday ordered the authorities concerned to immediately take steps to stop extraction of sand from the Surma river in Sylhet.

The court asked the deputy commissioner of Sylhet to submit a report before it assessing the damage from the sand extraction, Assistant Attorney General Arobinda Kumar Roy told The Daily Star.

The bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why they should not be directed to remove Peshnewaj from the list of sand extraction zones of the Surma river.

The rule was issued following a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association.