A writ petition was filed with the High Court today seeking its directives on the government to take necessary steps to control mosquito borne chikungunya in Dhaka and other affected areas of the country.

Supreme Court lawyer Shujauddowla Akonda filed the writ petition also praying to the HC to issue a ruling asking the concerned authorities of the government to explain why they should not be directed to take steps to control the disease.

In the petition, he said chikungunya disease has broken out in an epidemic form in Dhaka north and south city corporations, Sylhet and Chittagong.

The city corporation authorities and the health ministry have not taken any advance step to control the disease which is a tantamount to violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens, he said in the petition.

The HC may hold hearing in the petition later in the day.