DHAKA: The High Court on Wednesday issued a rule upon government to explain within four weeks why its inaction to repair cyclones Sidr and Aila affected dam should not be declared illegal.

An HC bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Kazi M Ijarul Haque issued the rule after the primary hearing of a writ petition.

The court also asked to explain why it would not direct the authorities concerned to collect necessary money and take steps to repair cyclones Sidr and Aila affected dams in several southern districts of the country.

Water development, finance, planning, local government and land secretaries and persons concerned were made respondents to the rule.

Thousands of people of Barguna, Bagerhat and Patuakhali districts have been living in areas submerged under saline water since cyclones Sidr and Aila hit the areas in 2009.

On March 2, Human Rights for Peace organization filed a writ petition with the court attaching reports published in media.

Advocate Manjil Morshed moved for the petition in the court whereas deputy attorney general Amatul Karim stood for the state.

BDST: 1628 HRS, MAR 11, 2015