HC rules over Saint Martin travel restriction

The High Court (HC) on Sunday issued a rule asking authorities concerned to explain why the decision to restrict travel to Saint Martin's Island will not be declared illegal.

A High Court division bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury passed the order, asking officials, including environment secretary, director general of Department of Environment and Cox's Bazar deputy commissioner, to respond within four weeks.

The court came up with the order after holding hearing on a writ petition filed in this regard. Advocates Md Amir Hossain and Uzzal Hossain moved the plea before the court.

"The government imposed the restrictions on tourists traveling to the island and many newspapers ran report on the matter. We filed the writ, referring the newspaper reports. Today the court after holding a hearing on a supplementary plea of the writ, issued the rule," Advocate Md Amir Hossain told newsmen.

The government on October 28 asked officials concerned, including Cox's Bazar deputy commissioner, to implement a set of decisions to tackle uncontrolled tourism and use of single used plastic in the island.