Sylhet: The High Court (HC) has issued a directive to the relevant authorities to recover all looted stones from the Bholaganj area in Companiganj upazila, Sylhet, and ensure their return to their original location within seven days. The court has called for the support of the Sylhet district administration and law enforcement agencies in executing this order.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the directive was issued by a High Court division bench, consisting of Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and Justice Aynun Nahar Siddiqua, following a writ petition submitted by the rights group Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB). The petition was presented by senior advocate Manzill Murshid on behalf of HRPB.
Furthermore, the court has mandated the creation of a high-powered committee that includes a professor from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). This committee is tasked with evaluating the environmental damage inflicted on the Bholaganj tourist area and is required to submit a report to the court.
In addition to these directives, the local administration has been instructed to compile a list of those responsible for the looting. A monitoring team is also to be established within 48 hours to prevent further stone removal from the area.