HC summon AL leader for killing palm trees using pesticides

High court

Jehangir Hussain 

The High Court Division on Wednesday summoned Shahriar Alam, the senior vice president of Shubadanga Union Awami League, to explain his position over the use of pesticides to kill 50 palm trees in Baigacha,  Bagmara, Rajshahi. 

In a suo moto move, a bench of  Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman and Justice AKM Rabiul Hasan ordered him to appear in person at 10.30 am on February 12 to explain his conductr. 

The bench issued a rule asking Shahriar Alam to explain within seven days why punitive action should not be taken against him and why he should not be directed to pay adequate compensation killing 50 palm trees using pesticides.

In its interim order given in Bangla, the bench said, “The incident mentioned in the news has shaken our conscience. That’s why we are issuing the order and rule to save environment.” 

The bench directed  Bagmara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and the Agriculture Officer to hold a joint investigation over the matter and submit the report along with the pictures of the  trees before within seven days. 

The bench ordered the Bagmara Upazila Agriculture Officer to personally submitting the report.

The bench also asked for sending a copy of the order to the divisional forest officer.

The directed the Deputy Attorney General to inform  Bagmara UNO and Agriculture Officer by telephone and cable. 

On January 31, a national daily published an editorial under the caption, ‘50 palm trees killed using pesticides; Why no legal action against the guilty.

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