Legal notice served on authorities concerned

Nagorik Sanghati (Citizens Solidarity), a voluntary organisation, yesterday served a legal notice to the government authorities concerned to take steps to prevent use of harmful chemicals for ripening and preserving litchis and other seasonal fruits.
On behalf of Nagorik Sanghati, barrister Omar Faruq, a lawyer of Salahuddin and Associates', served the notice to the health secretary, divisional commissioners of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions and deputy commissioner of the districts of the region, said a press release.
According to newspaper reports, 14 children died last year after taking the fruits, and there is a high risk of increasing the number of death this year as some dishonest businessmen have already started using insecticides and chemicals in the fruits, the notice reads.
If the recipients do not reply within one week from the receiving date of the notice, the matter will be brought to the cognisance of court, it said.
In the notice, the authorities concerned were urged to form a strong committee to investigate and ensure punishment to the people involved in using the chemicals.