Bandarban court has rejected the petition seeking cancellation of the public litigation filed to ban tobacco cultivation and processing in the district.
The petition was filed by three tobacco companies -- British American Tobacco (BAT), Dhaka Tobacco and Abul Khair Tobacco.
The court also upheld the previous temporary injunction on tobacco processing, marketing, storing and the use of tobacco furnaces in the district.
District judge Mohammad Kawser passed the order on Thursday.
The three companies were allowed to collect tobacco from only 1,000 acres of the district's 10,000 acres land in the current season.
When contacted, BAT area manager Mushfique declined to make any comment on the order.
District Joint Judges court issued an injunction order on Aug 18 and asked 22 persons, including the deputy commissioner, seven Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), police chief, Bandarban and Lama forest officers, agriculture officers and the three tobacco companies to explain within seven days why tobacco furnaces and warehouses should not be relocated.
The plaintiffs submitted their explanations on Aug 26 this year.
The court issued the order following a public interest litigation filed by two local journalists—Bangla daily 'Amader Shomoy's Bandarban correspondent Alauddin Shahriar and district Press Club general secretary Zafar Iqbal.
Later, Bangladesh Environment Lawyers' Association, Consumers' Association of Bangladesh and Bandarban Farmers' Association joined the plaintiffs.
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