Nagorik Sanghati on Thursday served a legal notice on the government asking it to take step to stop the use of chemical in ripening seasonal fruits, including litchi.Barrister Omar Faruque on behalf of Nagorik Sanghati sent the notice to the Health Secretary, the divisional commissioners of Rajshahi and Rangpur and all deputy commissioners of the regions by post.
In the notice, it was mentioned that corrupt and unscrupulous traders are engaged in ripening litchi with poisonous chemical/insecticide which is harmful to human health. “The use of poisonous insecticide is increasing day by day for making undue profit, resulting in the death of some children and causing health hazards to people every year.”
Citing media reports that 14 children died of taking poisonous litchi last year, the notice said the incidents happened due to the failure of persons and organisations responsible for ensuring people’s health.
Asking the respondents to take step to stop the use of chemical in ripening fruits within one week from receiving the copy of the notice, Omar Faruque said they would take recourse to law if the notice goes unheeded within the period.UNB
