Normal life in Rangpur came to a halt for 10 minutes on Thursday as people stopped all activities demanding supply of natural gas through pipeline to the region in order to accelerate industrialisation and uplift.
Greater Rangpur Gas Movement Committee observed the ‘Halt Rangpur’ programme to press home its demand for pipe line gas supply in the region.
People from all walks of life including politicians, lawyers, educationists, businessmen, social and cultural activists, human rights activists and journalists took part spontaneously in the programme which began at 11:00 am and continued till 11:10 am.
No vehicles plied on the road, with shops and business establishments that were shuttered showing solidarity.
Convener of Greater Rangpur Gas Movement Committee and Rangpur City Corporation Mayor Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhantu said the demand for natural gas supply to Rangpur region has now become a public demand and the common people have been demanding for fulfilling the demand of gas supply to the region.
The speakers explained a number of arguments justifying the demand for natural gas supply for enhancing industrialisation, creating employments and accelerating economic uplift in Rangpur region.
They said balanced development here has been ignored over the years and time has come now to eliminate all sorts of inequity being faced by the northern people and achieve the rights and uplift of this economically backward region.
Among others Former lawmaker Mofazzal Hossain Master, former Mayor of now defunct Rangpur Pourashava Kazi Md Junnon, General Secretary of City Shop Owners’ Association Rezaul Islam Milon, Rangpur district unit convener of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh M.A Basher Tipu, Awamileague leader Mozzam Hossain Lavlu , Language fighter Mir Anisul Haq Payara, President of Rangpur Press Club A.K.M Fazlul Haq and its General Secretary Wadud Ali also addressed.
