Tanners must leave Hazaribagh

Tanneries located in capital`s Hazaribagh area have to leave the place for good as the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday dismissed their appeal against a High Court (HC) order in this regard.

“The three-member Appellate Division panel headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order, dismissing an appeal filed by Bangladesh Finished Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters` Association (BFLGFA) against the High Court order of March 6,” said Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) chief executive advocate Syeda Rezwana Hasan.

The HC on March 6 had ordered the government to close down all the tanneries operating in Hazaribagh area, cutting off their electricity, gas and water lines.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Justice Md Salim came up with the order following the hearing on a writ petition filed by BELA.

“The HC in October, 2010, had given six months time to the owners of the Hazaribagh tanneries to relocate their businesses from the area. That means, the tannery owners are carrying out their businesses there illegally since April 30, 2011.

“In spite of that the government had given them time till March 31, 2017, to relocate without the permission of the court. So we had challenged government`s decision. Accepting our plea, the court has ordered to shut down all the tanneries in that area,” advocate Rezwana had said on that day.

BFLGFA chairman Mahiuddin Ahmed Mahin had filed appeal, pleading to stay the High Court order. Today the apex court passed order on that appeal.

Source: BSS