Close down illegal brick kilns in 3 CHT districts by 7 days: HC

The High Court (HC) on Tuesday ordered the authorities concerned to take steps to close down all unauthorised brick kilns in three hill districts—Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Rangamati—within seven days.

The HC bench of justice JBM Hasan and justice Fatema Najib passed the order following a writ petition filed by environment and human rights and peace for Bangladesh, a human rights organisation, reports UNB.

The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the ineffectiveness of the respondents in shutting down the unauthorised brick kilns in the three hill districts should not be declared illegal.

Apart from this, the HC issued another rule asking the authorities concerned why directives should not be given to take steps against owners of the unlicensed brick kilns under section 4,5,14 and 18 of brick manufacturing and brick kilns establishment (Control) act-2013.

Twenty four people, including the secretary to the environment and forest ministry, director general of department of environment (DoE), DCs of the three hill districts and police superintendents of the three districts, have been made respondents to the rule.

Advocate Manzil Murshid stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.

According to the writ, many brick kilns are operating in the three hill districts without license and they use the mud of the hill as raw material. Besides, many trees are being used as firewood.

Manzil Murshid also said "No brick kilns are allowed to operate without license according to the brick manufacturing and brick kilns establishment (control) act-2013. There is a provision of two years jail for violating the law. Despite it, brick kilns are being established and the local administration is not taking any steps in this regard."