The High Court on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to form an expert committee for formulating a policy to halt the fast reduction of agricultural lands and the use of those in non-farm activities. The court also issued a rule asking the government authorities concerned to explain why their inaction in protecting the agricultural lands should not be declared illegal. In its rule, the HC also wanted to know why the government’s failures in taking necessary steps in formulating an effective law to implement the objectives of the National Land Use Policy (2001) should not be declared illegal. The Cabinet Secretary, the Lands Secretary, the Planning Secretary, the Agriculture Secretary, the Foods Secretary and two others have been made respondents to the rule. The HC bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Md Habibul Gani came up with the rule and order after a hearing on a petition lodged in the form of public interest litigation (PLO). Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) lodged the petition with the court on April 9 this year. Advocate Manzil Morshed appeared for the petitioner during the hearing while deputy attorney general Mokhlesur Rahman represented the state. – UNB
12 hurt in Sunamganj cop-robber gunfight
At least 12 people, including a policeman, were injured in a gunfight between police and robbers at Bukardanga in Chhatak upazila early Tuesday. Police arrested Raju, a robber of Biswanath upazila in Sylhet, from a local bazaar under Jamalganj upazila on Monday evening, said police. Later, the law enforcers along with Raju went to the Bukardanga area to arrest his associates. Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, Raju’s cohorts, however, opened fire on police, prompting them to fire back that triggered a gunfight. Several gunshots were exchanged between the two sides when 12 people, including officer-in-charge of Chhatak Police Station Shahjalal Munshi, were injured. The bandits also exploded four crude bombs during the incident. Police recovered four crude bombs, one pipe gun, three sharp weapons and five bullets from the spot. The injured police and Raju were rushed to sadar hospital and Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital. Raju was wanted in several cases, including of murder, police said. – UNB
