The High Court has directed the district administration of Chattogram to shut down all unlicensed brick kilns within 15 days.

The order came on Sunday from a bench comprising Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Md Hamidur Rahman in response to a writ petition. The court also instructed the district administration to submit a report regarding the related complaints.

The directive was addressed to eight senior government officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Chattogram, the Director of the Department of Environment in the district, and the UNO of Lohagara Upazila, asking them to ensure compliance.

The writ petition was filed in 2020 by the human rights organisation Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), seeking the closure of illegal brick kilns.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer, Monzil Morshed, told the court that following a change in government, many illegal brick kilns in Chattogram were reopened by their owners. 

He said these kilns were causing severe environmental damage and that no legal action was being taken despite their operations occurring under the administration’s nose.

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

The court has scheduled the next hearing and the issuance of further orders for 17 December.