The High Court yesterday formed a 10-member committee to recommend ways to protect the historical archaeological site of Mahasthangarh in Bogra and its adjacent shrine and mosque.
An HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain asked the committee to submit a report before the court within two months.
During hearing a writ petition, the court directed the authorities to stop construction of structures near the archeological site for the next two months.
It also ordered the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Bogra to submit a report within 15 days on steps taken against the persons responsible for damaging the historical site, shrine, and mosque.
Director general of the department of archeology will head the committee formed by the HC.
Other members of the committee are: DC and SP of Bogra, thana nirbahi officer of Shibganj of the district, historian Prof Muntasir Mamun, journalist Shahriar Kabir, two representatives from Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University, one representative from the National Museum in Dhaka and the curator of Mahasthangarh shrine.
The court issued the order during hearing a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh seeking direction on the government to protect and preserve the site.
During hearing yesterday, the court said it will not allow anybody, even if he or she is very powerful, to damage the historical sites of the country.
The bench said this while Nasima, the curator of Mahasthangarh shrine, yesterday told the court that she is not getting support from the administration to properly protect and maintain the shrine.
Earlier on January 23, the bench summoned five persons including Nasima and an Awami League leader on charges of constructing a road near Mahasthangarh archaeological site in Bogra ignoring an HC order.
