Stop all illegal brick kilns in CHT within7 days: HC

The High Court has directed the authorities concerned to stop all illegal brick kilns operating in three districts under Chittagong Hill Tract.

The High Court bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Fatema Najib passed the order on Tuesday after hearing a writ filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, a non-profit organisation, seeking directives in this regard.

The district administration(s) of Chattogram (Hill Tract), the Department of Environment of Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban, including other respondents, have been asked to submit a compliance report within two weeks following the implementation of the court order.

Besides, the High Court also issued a rule, asking the government to explain in four weeks why inactiveness of respondents to take action against illegal brick kilns should not be declared illegal and why the action against illegal brick kilns should not be taken under The Brick Production and Brick Kiln Building (Control) Act, 2013.

In another order, it directed the district administrations of the three districts of CHT, director (Chattogram region -- khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban) of the Department of Environment to submit the list of all illegal brick kilns in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Environment secretary, director general of the DOE, deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of the three hill districts, UNOs in all upazilas under the CHT and police officers-in-charge were made respondents in the writ.