Dhaka: The High Court on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to stop stone extraction from Sangu and Matamuhuri Rivers and their adjacent reserved forest areas in Bandarban district, reports the UNB.

A bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal passed the order after hearing a writ petition.

Environment and Forests secretary, Director General of Department of Environment, Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban, Superintendent of Police and six other respondents were asked to comply with the order and submit a report within one month.

The court also issued a rule seeking explanation as to why inactivity of authorities regarding the stone extraction from those places should not be declared illegal.

The writ was filed jointly by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Bangladesh Adibashi Forum, Nijera Kori, Kapaeeng Foundation, Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) and Mong Soipru Khaiyam, a local resident.