Dhaka: The High Court on Monday imposed a six-month embargo on the construction of a market on the bank of Laldighi, a public water body in the district town of Cox’s Bazar.

An HC bench comprising Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why they should not be directed to stop the construction work and preserve the water body.

The land and environment secretaries, director general of the Department of Environment, the deputy commissioner and police super of Cox’s Bazar, Cox’s Bazar municipality mayor and three others have been made respondents to the rule which is returnable within four weeks.

The order and the rule came after primary hearing of a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA).

Cox’s Bazar municipality on January 13 last invited tender for construction of a market on the west bank of the 1.23 acre Laldighi.

On May 10, the DoE sent a letter to the municipality mayor to stop the construction work. Later, Cox’s Bazar Society sought Bela’s assistance which filed the writ with the High Court last week.

Minhajul Haque Chowdhury stood for BELA while deputy attorney general Tapash Kumar Biswas represented the state.