UKHIA, FEB 24 (V7N) - Separate mobile court drives have been conducted in Cox’s Bazar to monitor markets, keep prices of essential commodities stable during Ramadan, protect consumer rights and take action against illegal land cutting. A total of five people were fined Tk 63,000 and a truck loaded with sand was seized during the operations.

Under a joint initiative of the district administration and RAB, a market monitoring campaign was carried out in Barabazar and Bazarghata, the main commercial hubs of Cox’s Bazar town.

During the drive, one shop was fined Tk 5,000 for selling testing salts not approved by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). Several other shop owners were warned for minor irregularities in their business documents.

The operation, conducted from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Monday, was led by Cox’s Bazar District Administration Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md. Mahmudur Rahman Sayem. Officials from the Department of Safe Food and Consumer Rights and members of law enforcement agencies also participated, checking price lists, purchase-sale receipts and overall market discipline.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day at around 2:30 pm, a separate mobile court in the Kutupalong area of Ukhia fined three individuals Tk 8,000 in total under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009.

Later, at about 4:00 pm in the Gayalmara area of Palangkhali Union, a person was fined Tk 50,000 under the Balumahal and Soil Management Act, 2010 for illegally cutting hills and extracting sand. A truck carrying illegally collected sand was also seized during the raid.

Ukhia Range Officer Shahinur Rahman said that some traders had long been involved in illegal sand and soil extraction from hills and stockpiling it beside the main road. Acting on a tip-off, authorities conducted the raid and seized the sand-laden truck.

Subsequently, Upazila Executive Officer Rifat Asma conducted the mobile court and fined Sona Mia, son of Akbar Ali of Gayalmara area, Tk 50,000 on the spot.

The UNO said such drives will continue throughout Ramadan to control prices, ensure consumer protection and safeguard the environment.

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