A division bench of Justice Mohammad Abdul Whabab Mia and Justice Zinat Ara also sought to know why the government would not compensate the landless people who were harassed, intimidated and evicted by the land grabbers and so-called shrimp cultivators.

The rule nisi was issued on a writ petition filed by Nijera Kori along with BELA, BLAST, Ain-o-Salish Kendro, ALRD and BSEHR, said a press release.

In the writ, they sought settlement of the land in favour of the landless people as per the provisions of the Land Management Manual, 1990 and also the shrimp mohal management guidelines.

The court also stayed the operation of the government memo declaring 11,955.59 acres of char land as 'shrimp mohal' in Noakhali that led to severe conflicts, unrest and dispute in the locality.

The court order will protect 40,000 landless people who fell victim to river erosion and started living in the khas char land, the press release added.

The order has been served on the secretaries of land, environment, and home ministries, inspector general of police, divisional commissioner of Chittagong, deputy commissioner of Noakhali, assistant commissioners (land), Sadar Upazila, Noakhali, and assistant commissioner (land), Companiganj Upazila, Noakhali.

Advocates Dr Mohammad Zahir, Sigma Huda and Iqbal Kabir appeared on behalf of the petitioners.