Transport strike in Sylhet a ‘contempt of court’: 10 noted citizens issue statement
Ten noted citizens of Sylhet in a joint statement today termed the 72-hour transport strike in Sylhet, demanding opening of stone quarries, a "contempt of court".
In the statement, the citizens also expressed grave concern over the administration's ineffective measures against the transport strike.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The strike was enforced in Sylhet from 6:00am on Tuesday morning after it was called by Greater Sylhet Stone-related Traders-Workers Union with transport workers also observing the strike.
They called the strike demanding that the authorities open stone quarries in four upazilas of Sylhet, which were closed following several orders of High Court and the government's decision to protect the environment of Sylhet.
The signatories of the statement include: Advocate Shah Shaheda Akhter, divisional coordinator of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela); Faruque Mahmud Chowdhury, president of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujon) Sylhet chapter; Advocate Emad Ullah Shahidul Islam Shahin, former president of Sylhet District Bar Association; Iqbal Siddiqui, president of Sylhet Press Club; Advocate Irfanuzzaman Chowdhury, coordinator of BLAST in Sylhet; Somik Shahid Jahan, president of Sachetan Nagorik Committee (Sonak) Sylhet chapter; Nazmul Haque, executive director of IDEA; Advocate Syeda Shirin Akther, coordinator of National Women Lawyers Association's Sylhet chapter; AK Sheram, president of Manipuri Cultural Association; and Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) Sylhet chapter.
In the statement, they said that arranging, participating and supporting any programme against any court directive and judgement is tantamount to contempt of court and the reluctance of responsible authorities against such contempt is a matter of grave concern.
They also urged government and political high-ups to take necessary steps to protect environment and public interest.
The noted citizens also mentioned that stone extraction using heavy machineries poses serious threat to the environment and public health, and that 96 workers have reportedly died between 2005 and March this year while extracting stones.
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