Staff Reporter :
The High Court (HC) on Tuesday directed the government to deploy police within seven days in the mango gardens in Rajshahi and other major harvesting areas of the country to prevent use of toxic chemicals in mangoes.
The court also ordered the authorities concerned to keep eyes on the godowns of mangoes and other fruits in Dhaka by surveillance teams so that harmful chemicals can’t be used.
The Inspector General of Police, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Managing Director (Chemical Testing Wing) of Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute (BSTI) and some other respondents have been asked to submit a report in the court after complying with the directives in 30 days.
The High Court bench of Justice F R M Nazmul Ahasan and Justice K M Kamrul Kader passed the order after hearing a petition filed by a rights organization, Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).
During hearing the petition, HRPB’s lawyer Advocate Manzill Murshid told the court that upon a writ petition, the High Court on February 29, 2012 had issued several directives on the government to stop use of hazardous chemicals in fruits and to take action against the people liable for using the chemicals.
But some dishonest people are still using hazardous chemicals in fruits particularly in mangoes during the harvesting seasons, he said.
Advocate Manzill prayed to the High Court to pass necessary order to stop use of chemicals in fruits.
