Gauhati High Court orders action over illegal stone export

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has directed that a petition regarding the illegal excavation of stones and subsequent transportation to Bangladesh through the Indo-Bangladesh border in the South Salmara Mankachar district should be looked into by the authority concerned and appropriate action taken as expeditiously as possible within a period of one month.

While issuing this directive in connection with a PIL (50/2022) filed by a social activist named Zahangir Alom Mondol, the court also asked the authority concerned to apprise the petitioner directly about the final decision taken in this regard.

The petitioner filed the PIL to seek a directive to the authorities concerned to constitute a high-level inquiry into the matter of illegal excavation and transportation of boulders (stone materials) to Bangladesh through the international border in the South Salmara-Mankachar district and take appropriate legal action against the officials involved in the illegal activity. The petitioner also requested the court to direct the authorities to take immediate steps to stop the illegal export of boulders to Bangladesh.

The court noted that the petitioner had submitted a representation to the Deputy Commissioner of South Salmara Mankachar on June 1 this year, but no response has been forthcoming for about two months.

The court observed: "Having heard the learned counsels appearing for the parties, at this stage interest of justice would be subserved if the authorities are directed to look into the complaint raised by the petitioner and take appropriate remedial action."

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