Dhaka: The High Court on Wednesday asked the government to issue a circular to stop plying of utility vehicles (Nasimon, Karimon, Bhotbhoti) on the highways across Bangladesh.

An HC bench comprising Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo asked the Home Secretary to issue circular with directives to the deputy commissioners in this regard.

Besides, the HC ordered taking necessary steps to stop plying of Nasimon, Karimon and Bhotbhoti on the highways in 10 districts--Bagerhat, Narail, Satkhira, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Magura, Kushtia, Jhenidah, Khulna and Jessore districts in South-Western region.

DIG of Highway police and police superintendents of the 10 districts have been asked to implement the directives. It also ordered the government to take measures to stop plying of these vehicles on highways in other districts of the country.

It also asked to submit a progress report on it in an affidavit in every six months and take legal steps against the owners and drivers for violation of the order.

On February 10, 2014, the High Court issued a rule asking to stop plying of Nasimon, Karimon on the highways following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh .The HC also passed an interim order in this regard.

Advocate Manzil Morshed stood for the petitioners while assistant attorney general Arabinda Kumar Roy represented the state.

Advocate Manzil Morshed said many people die in road accidents due to plying of illegal human haulers on the highways everyday.