The High Court today issued a rule asking the authorities of government why shouldn't the failure to protect Mohadeo River in Netrakona which was severely damaged by sand mining be declared illegal and against the interest of people.

It also directed the authorities concerned to submit an assessment report on the river's condition soon.

Justice Khizir Hayat and Md Mozibur Rahman issued the rule after a primary hearing in response to a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) today.

The rule was directed at the secretary of Land Ministry, secretary of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry, chairman of National River Conservation Commission (NRCC), director general of Department of Environment (DoE), director general of Water Development Board, divisional commissioner of Mymenshingh Division, deputy commissioner of Netrakona and the police super of the same district.

The rule asked why their failure should not be declared illegal and against the interest of people as they failed to protect the homesteads, local markets, arable lands and religious sites exposed to extreme danger due to rampant sand mining along Mohadeo River.

It also asked NRCC and DoE to prepare a report on the condition of the rivers and submit it to the court soon.

Mohadeo River stems from hilly areas of Meghalaya in India and enters Bangladesh through Kolmakanda upazila of Netrakona. Rural areas including local markets, mosque, temples and arable lands have been severely damaged due to the sand mining in the river which eventually ran out of sand due to excessive mining.