HC asks why administration's failure to prevent occupying Bhulua river, canals shouldn't be illegal
The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice AKM Rabiul Hasan gave the order after hearing a writ petition on the matter
The High Court today (5 September) issued a rule asking why the inaction and failure of the administration in preventing the occupation of the Bhulua River and all canals in Lakshmipur and Noakhali upazilas should not be declared illegal.
"The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice AKM Rabiul Hasan gave the order after hearing a writ petition on the matter," Supreme Court Lawyer Abdus Sattar Palwan, who filed the writ petition in public interest, told The Business Standard.
Besides, the HC has directed the deputy commissioners of Lakshmipur and Noakhali to conduct an investigation within 48 hours of receiving the order, remove the encroachments, ensure the proper flow of the Bhulua River, and submit a report to the court within 10 working days.
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Yesterday (4 September), Lawyer Sattar filed a writ with the wing concerned of the HC.
He said, "On 23 August, The Business Standard, a national daily, published a report titled 'Encroachment and mismanagement of Bhulua River: 3 lakh people in Lakshmipur and Noakhali trapped in floodwater'. Citing this report, I filed the writ in public interest."
The writ sought directions to prevent man-made floods.
The petition names several respondents, including the secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, the chairman of the River Conservation Commission, the deputy commissioners of Noakhali and Lakshmipur, the executive engineer of the Water Development Board, and the executive officers of the seven upazilas.
