DHAKA: The High Court (HC) issued a rule upon the government to explain within three weeks why the order should not be given to stop bull-goat-cock fighting across the country.

An HC bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice M Jahangir Hossain passed the order after the hearing of the writ.

The court also ordered prohibiting such act in Sumanganj’s Chhatak for eight weeks.

The law secretary, home affairs secretary, inspector general of police (IGP), deputy commissioner (DC) of police and other authorities concerned were made respondents to the rule.

Rubaiya Ahmed, founder and chairperson of animal welfare foundation ‘Obhayaranya’, filed a writ petition with the High Court.

She said, “It is a cruel process. We cannot force animals to participate in the games in the name of competition.”

She added: “The people of the world are now become aware about animal rights and these types of games are banned most of the countries.”

BDST: 2000 HRS, DEC 14, 2014