The High Court today directed the government to stop cutting hills at Dinarpur in Habiganj and to take appropriate legal steps against the people responsible for cutting the hills.

In response to a writ petition, the court asked the authorities concerned to submit a report before it through the registrar in two weeks after complying with the order.

It also issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks as to why cutting hills should not be declared illegal.

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman came up with the order and rule after hearing a writ petition by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh seeking necessary orders to stop hill cutting.

Petitioner's lawyer Manzill Murshid told The Daily Star that some local influential people have reportedly been cutting hills at Dinarpur under Nabiganj upazila in violation of the environment protection law and the constitution.

Deputy Attorney General Tapas Kumar Biswas represented the government.