High Court asks government about preparedness for post-quake rescue operation

The High Court has enquired about measures the government has taken as per a court order to procure equipment for post-earthquake rescue operations.

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman issued an order to this effect after hearing a petition by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

 

The order requires secretaries to home and disaster management ministries, and Fire Service and Civil Defence director general and director to submit reports to the court on the matter by May 12.

 

HRPB, a rights organisation, had filed a writ petition in 2008, seeking an order for the procurement of tools to carry out post-earthquake rescue operations.

 

On July 29, 2009, the court had ordered the constitution of an expert committee for the purchase of the necessary equipment.

 

The court had also asked the finance ministry to allocate funds for this.

 

The HRPB filed a supplementary petition seeking to know the progress of the High Court’s previous orders.

 

Advocate Manzill Murshid stood for the petitioner at the Monday hearing while Deputy Attorney General Tapash Kumar Biswas represented the state.

 

Murshid told bdnews24.com: “A committee was formed in 2010 following that order. However, necessary equipment was not procured.”