Dhaka, July 14 – The High Court on Sunday directed the two Dhaka city corporations’ authorities to take effective steps within 24 hours on priority basis to eradicate and destroy Aedes mosquitos and take other preventive measures to stop the spread of Dengu, Chikongunia and other similar diseases in the city. In a suo moto move, the HC bench comprising Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Shohrowardi also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why their inaction to eradicate Aedes Mosquitos and stop the spread of Dengu, Chikongunia and similar diseases in Dhaka city should not be declared illegal and without lawful authority.
It also asked the authorities concerned to explain why action should not be taken against the persons responsible for failing to take effective steps for the prevention of the said diseases.
The HC bench asked the mayors of two Dhaka city corporations, chief executive officers of two city corporations, secretaries of health and local government and rural development and director general health department to implement its order and reply to the rule within four weeks.
In its order, the HC bench said, “Our attention has been drawn to a number of reports in the daily newspapers including today’s issue of ‘Prothom Alo, Jano Kontho and Bhorer Pata and yesterday’s issue of Prothom Alo where it has been reported that hundreds of persons in Dhaka City are suffering from Dengu, Chikongunia and similar other diseases due to the inaction of the authorities specially tow city corporations of Dhaka. It has also been reported that more than eleven people have died recently due to Dengu. Dhaka Medical College sources as well as other official sources have reportedly said that more than hundred people are getting admitted into the various hospital of the city every day for Dengu and Chikonguniya. Unofficial sources report a higher number. Unless something is done to stoo this disease it will become an epidemic, we are therefore inclined to issue the following Suo Moto order.”
Assistant attorney generals Zaidy Hasan Khan and Saira Fairoz represented the state during the court proceedings. – Staff Reporter
