HC orders to shut down illegal brick kilns in Chattogram in 15 days

The High Court today directed the local administration of Chattogram to shut down all illegal brick kilns in the district in 15 days and to submit a compliance report before it.

Eight government high officials, including the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Chattogram, director of Department of Environment (DoE) in the district and UNO of its Lohagara upazila have been directed to implement the order.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Hamidur Rahman delivered the order during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), seeking necessary directives to shut down all illegal brick kilns in the district.

The HC fixed December 17 for further hearing and issuing an order on the matter.

During the hearing today, the petitioner's lawyer, Manzill Murshed, told the HC that following the change of the government, most illegal brick kiln owners have reportedly resumed operations, causing severely harmful effects on the environment in Chattogram.

The illegal brick kilns are operating under the very nose of the administration, yet no action is being taken in accordance with the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013, he argued.

Deputy Attorney General Syed Ejaz Kabir represented the state during the hearing.