Construction in Fort Area
Maintain status quo: HC
The High Court yesterday directed the government to maintain status quo on construction works within the area of Bhitorgarh fort, a place with historic importance in Panchagarh.
During hearing a rule, the court also directed not to dig up the ground within the fort except conducting scientific excavation for research purpose.
The rule was issued in response to a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh following newspaper reports saying two private companies Assort Plus ltd and Selilan Tea & Estate Ltd were constructing commercial buildings in the fort area ruining the site.
Earlier on June 14 last year the HC asked the government to explain why it should not be directed to declare the site as "protected antiquity" and asked the government to publish a gazette notification announcing the area as an archeological site. It also directed two private companies to maintain status quo on construction of structures in and around the fort.
Yesterday, the court formed a committee to demarcate the fort area and asked the committee to submit a report in three months. The committee comprises director general of department of archeology, one professor each of archeology or history department from Dhaka, Rajshahi and Jahangirnagar universities, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Panchagarh district and the custodian of Barendra museum.
The HC bench of Naima Haider and Justice Farid Ahmed passed the order during hearing on the rule.
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