Expressing grave concern over environmental pollution, the High Court yesterday said the administration has failed to shut down all illegal brick kilns.

The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury ordered the government to close all brick kilns running illegally across the country.

During the hearing of a writ petition involving this issue, the bench also asked the authorities to submit reports after complying with the directives on March 17.

The HC bench also said illegal brick kilns without licenses, which cause environmental pollution, must be demolished or evicted under the legal procedures.

The court also summoned the director general of the Department of Environment and the divisional commissioners of Barishal, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Mymensingh, asking them to appear before it on March 17 for their alleged failure to comply with its directives.

Earlier in the day, the divisional commissioners of Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna; the deputy commissioners of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts; and the upazila nirbahi officers of Dhaka's Savar and Dhamrai upazilas appeared before the HC bench in compliance with its January 29 order.

They told the court that they have taken necessary measures to shut down the illegal brick kilns at their respective areas following the court order.

Then, the HC exonerated them from personal appearance before this court in connection with the writ petition.

Advocate Manzill Murshid appeared for the writ petitioner Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, Advocate Fahima Nasrin Munni stood for Zig-zag Brick Kilns' owners and Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque represented the state during hearing yesterday.