The High Court on Sunday issued status quo on earth filling and construction of structures in Meghna and Menikhali rivers in Sonargaon, Narayanganj.
The bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Ahmed Sohel passed the order and rule after hearing two separate writ petitions filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, reports UNB.
The court also directed the Narayanganj deputy commissioner to form a committee and submit a report within 30 days, detailing the names and addresses of the people who are reportedly constructing structures on the rivers.
It also asked the authorities concerned to explain within four weeks as to why their inaction to stop the encroachment on rivers should not be declared illegal and why all the filling and establishments should not be removed, said petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid.
The Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry secretary, Department of Environment director general, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority chairman, Narayanganj’s deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, Sonargaon’s upazila executive officer, upazila assistant commissioner (land) and Sonargaon police station officer-in-charge were made respondents to the rule.
Manzill Murshid told the court that some influential people have been constructing structures encroaching land in Meghna and Menikhali rivers in violation of Environment Protection Act 1995 and Natural Water bodies’ Protection Act 2000.