DHAKA: The High Court on Monday ordered to stop occupying Buriganga River illegally in Charmirerbagh area of Keraniganj upazila of the district within 48-hour.

An HC bench comprising Justice Kazi Reza Ul Haque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain passed the order after a writ petition filed for public interest.

BIWTA chairman, director of environment department and Officer-in-Charge of Keraniganj Thana were asked to submit progressive report within two weeks.

The court also ordered them to submit a report about the advancement of the task.

Advocate Manjil Morshed moved for the writ petition in the court while deputy attorney general Biswajit Roy moved for the state.

The court also ordered to direct conducting mobile courts in the area against those who disobeyed laws related to environment and preservation of water body, Manjil Morshed added.

The court also issued a rule asking why it should not be issued order to remove all kinds of permanent and temporary establishments from Charmirerbagh area.

Shipping secretary, BIWTA chairman, director general of environment department, director of environment department (enforcement), director of environment department (port and traffic), Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner and Officer-in-Charge of Keraniganj Thana were made respondents to the rule.

BDST: 1755 HRS, MAR 10, 2014