The High Court today issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain in three months why they should not be directed to damage and demolish the structures illegally set up on the sea beach in Cox’s Bazar.

In the rule, the court also asked the respondents to show cause why their failure to stop pollution of the sea, dumping wastage and use of disposable plastic products should not be declared illegal.

Besides, the court, in the rule, asked the respondents to explain why the government decision to construct a 10-stroey circuit house in the reserved areas of Cox’s Bazar should not be declared unlawful.

Secretaries to the ministries, cabinet division, forest and environment, civil aviation and tourism, housing and public work, public administration and water resources and other officials concerned of the government have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the rule following a writ petition filed recently by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) seeking necessary orders.

In the petition, BELA said 216 illegal structures and 24 hatcheries are reportedly polluting the sea beach in Cox’s bazar.

In the petition, the organisation prayed to the HC to pass orders on the respondents to protect hills, hillocks and forest areas in Cox’s Bazar and to save the sea beach from pollution and encroachment.

Adv Minhazul Haque Chowdhury and Adv Sayeed Ahmed Kabir appeared for the writ petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder represented the state.