The High Court yesterday questioned the legality of the government's inaction and failure to take appropriate steps to stop lifting sand illegally from the bank of the Padma River in Codagari of Rajshahi.

It issued a rule asking the respondents to explain in four weeks why their inaction and failure to take appropriate steps to stop such activities should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, the court also asked them to reply why they should not be directed to take immediate steps to stop illegal lifting of sand from various areas near the riverbanks of the Padma and to protect the areas from river erosion and damage of embankments at Codagari.

Secretaries to the ministries of water resources, environment and forest, shipping, home affairs, local government and rural development, law, justice and parliamentary affairs and land, director general of Water Development Board and 10 others have been made respondents to the rule.

The bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan issued the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman, executive director of rights organisation Justice Watch Foundation, seeking necessary order on the respondents to stop illegal sand lifting from the riverbank areas.

Citing from the petition, Barrister Mahfuzur told The Daily Star that dishonest traders have been reportedly lifting sand illegally from the Padma situated in Codagari causing river erosion and damage to embankments or levees of the river.

But, the respondents don't take necessary steps to stop such activities, he added.