Rangamati, Jan 06, (V7N) - The High Court has directed the district commissioners of the three hill districts to take action to prevent the operation of illegal brick kilns within seven days. Senior lawyer Advocate Monjil Morshed confirmed the matter to reporters.

In 2022, the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) filed a public interest petition to stop the operation of illegal brick kilns without licenses in the three hill districts. After hearing the petition, the court issued a ruling to halt the operations of these illegal kilns.

As the concerned parties have not taken proper action or submitted progress reports to the court, HRPB filed an application on January 5, 2025, noting that from October 2024 to April 2025, the brick kiln production season, many illegal kilns across the country are resuming or planning to start operations, posing a serious threat to the environment. The application sought the court's intervention to prevent these illegal kilns from operating during this time.

On Sunday (January 5), the court heard the petition and ordered the district commissioners of Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachari to take necessary steps to ensure the illegal brick kilns do not begin operations. The court also directed them to submit a report on the matter within two weeks.

Senior Advocate Monjil Morshed, representing HRPB, emphasized the environmental and public health hazards posed by the illegal brick kilns. He stressed that without such an order, these kilns would restart their operations, which would have devastating environmental consequences.

The petition was filed by Advocate Md. Sarwar Ahad Chowdhury and two others, with the respondents including 24 individuals and departments, including the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

HRPB's legal team, led by Senior Advocate Monjil Morshed, was assisted by Advocates Sanjoy Mondol, Eklas Uddin Bhuiyan, Nasreen Sultana, and Selim Reza. The state was represented by Deputy Attorney General Md. Tanin Khan.

END/AM/SMA/