The High Court today asked the government to stop construction of a dam and earth filling on the Gumti river in Muradnagar upazila of Comilla in 24 hours.

In response to a writ petition filed today, the court directed the government to submit a report before it in seven days after complying with the order.

The authorities concerned were also asked to file a case in three days against those responsible for the constructing the dam and filling earth in the river.

As per the order, the case has to be filed under the section-8 of Water Bodies Conservation Act-2000 which has the provision to jail a convict for five years maximum.

The court also ordered the authorities to submit a report by May 25 on compliance of the court order.

It also issued a rule upon the authorities to explain in four weeks as to why the local administration's inaction in stopping the dam construction and earth filling should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Haque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman came up with the order and rule following the writ petition filed by three local citizens of Muradnagar, challenging the legality of inaction of the authorities in stopping the construction and earth filling.

Manzill Murshid, lawyer of the petitioners, prayed to the court to pass necessary order to stop the activities on the river.