HC for protecting century-old Munshipukur in Ctg

The High Court today directed the concerned authorities of the government to take steps to protect century-old Waqf pond Munshi Pukur, measuring around four acres, at Chawkbazar in Chittagong through demolishing structures constructed in it.

The court also ordered the deputy commissioner of Chittagong to submit a report before it in 15 days after complying with the directive.

The HC bench of Justice Md Rezaul Hasan and Justice Kashefa Hussain came up with the verdict following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh in 2012 seeking its order on the authorities concerned to protect the pond.

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Petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star that some local influential people have been constructing structures in the century-old Waqf pond at Chawkbazar under Panchlaish Police Station in Chittagong through filling its land violating relevant laws and provision of the constitution.

Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation, chairman of Chittagong development authority, its DC and police commissioner, councilor of ward 16 of CCC, and officer-in-charge of Panchlaish Police Station have been made respondents to the directives, he added.