Dinajpur (South) Correspondent :
Central leaders of National Committee for Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports at a rally on Saturday afternoon in Phulbari upazila threatened for blockade in northern districts to realise 3-point demands if their demands are not met within January 31.
The demands were included arrest of Gary N Lye Chief Executive of Asia Energy Corporation of Bangladesh, government assurance against open pit mining and implementation of 6-point demand signed in August 2006.
The local leaders of the committee organised the rally on Saturday at Nimtola area in Phulbari Municipality area protesting the 2- day-long visit of Gary Lye to Phulbari from November 25 to 26.
At the rally which started at around 3.30pm on Saturday, the leaders urged the government to implement their demands within January 31.
Otherwise, there will be blockade programme in northern districts since February 7 next year.
Saiful Islam Jewel, Convener of Phulbari Unit of National Committee for Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports was chaired the meeting.
Anu Mohammad, Member Secretary of the committee spoke as key speakers.
Other speakers were Engineer Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah, Ruhin Hossain Prince, Tipu Biswas, Kallol Mostafa, Mosrefa Misu, Zonayed Saki, Suvrangsu Chakbraborty, Fozle Hossain Badsha MP, Mosaraf Hossain Nannu,Bojlor Rashid Firoj, Mosrefa Mishu, Adibasi Leader Rabindranath Soren, Ramai Soren, and Leaders of Dinajpur district and Phulbari upazila committe also spoke at the rally.
Anti coalmine protesters from different upazila including Parbatipur, Nawabganj and Birampur upazila of Dinajpur gathered at the rally taking procession since Saturday morning.
The speakers at the rally alleged that government yet to talking about the proposed Phulbari coalmine openly. They still maintaining secrecy. Highlighting the bad impact if Phulbari coalmine is implemented, Anu Mohammad Member Secretary of the committee urged the government to accept their demands.
“Otherwise face tough agitation in February next year”,said Anu Mohammad.
With similar demand, a professional body of Phulbari led by Golam Murtoza Sarker Manik Mayor of Phulbari Municipality held demonstration.
The leaders also urged the Asia Energy authority to withdraw filed against anti coalmine protesters including 10 leaders of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports on December 9.
If the demands are not met, there will be similar situation like August 26 in 2006.
On that day, at least 3 anti coalmine protesters were shot dead by law enforcing members while they were approaching the Asia Energy office.
After a weeklong deadlock, the erstwhile BNP government signed 6 point agreement on August 30, but the demand yet to be implemented.
Central leaders of National Committee for Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports at a rally on Saturday afternoon in Phulbari upazila threatened for blockade in northern districts to realise 3-point demands if their demands are not met within January 31.
The demands were included arrest of Gary N Lye Chief Executive of Asia Energy Corporation of Bangladesh, government assurance against open pit mining and implementation of 6-point demand signed in August 2006.
The local leaders of the committee organised the rally on Saturday at Nimtola area in Phulbari Municipality area protesting the 2- day-long visit of Gary Lye to Phulbari from November 25 to 26.
At the rally which started at around 3.30pm on Saturday, the leaders urged the government to implement their demands within January 31.
Otherwise, there will be blockade programme in northern districts since February 7 next year.
Saiful Islam Jewel, Convener of Phulbari Unit of National Committee for Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports was chaired the meeting.
Anu Mohammad, Member Secretary of the committee spoke as key speakers.
Other speakers were Engineer Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah, Ruhin Hossain Prince, Tipu Biswas, Kallol Mostafa, Mosrefa Misu, Zonayed Saki, Suvrangsu Chakbraborty, Fozle Hossain Badsha MP, Mosaraf Hossain Nannu,Bojlor Rashid Firoj, Mosrefa Mishu, Adibasi Leader Rabindranath Soren, Ramai Soren, and Leaders of Dinajpur district and Phulbari upazila committe also spoke at the rally.
Anti coalmine protesters from different upazila including Parbatipur, Nawabganj and Birampur upazila of Dinajpur gathered at the rally taking procession since Saturday morning.
The speakers at the rally alleged that government yet to talking about the proposed Phulbari coalmine openly. They still maintaining secrecy. Highlighting the bad impact if Phulbari coalmine is implemented, Anu Mohammad Member Secretary of the committee urged the government to accept their demands.
“Otherwise face tough agitation in February next year”,said Anu Mohammad.
With similar demand, a professional body of Phulbari led by Golam Murtoza Sarker Manik Mayor of Phulbari Municipality held demonstration.
The leaders also urged the Asia Energy authority to withdraw filed against anti coalmine protesters including 10 leaders of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports on December 9.
If the demands are not met, there will be similar situation like August 26 in 2006.
On that day, at least 3 anti coalmine protesters were shot dead by law enforcing members while they were approaching the Asia Energy office.
After a weeklong deadlock, the erstwhile BNP government signed 6 point agreement on August 30, but the demand yet to be implemented.
