Md. Mosabbir Ali. Kulaura (Moulvibazar) :
The 18th Magurchhera Day was observed in Moulvibazar by local victims on Sunday with a demand for realisation of compensation from the US oil company responsible for the massive explosion that destroyed the ecology and environment in vast areas there.
At human chain and road strike programme marking the day, speakers demanded allowing of BAPEX (Bangladesh Patrolium Exploration Company) to explore hydrocarbon in the area instead of a US company.
The main programmes was organized by the Kamalganj Development Perished, Bangladesh Workers Party, Kamalganj unit and Udichi Shilpi Gusti.
Later, they submitted a memorandum for Prime Minister by Kamalganj UNO Jahidul Islam Miah.
The human chain, road strike and rally were held at Kamalganj Upazila Saheed Minar area around 11am to 12 pm.
The human chain was addressed by, among others, UK prominent journalist Isaac Kazol, researcher Ahmed Siraj, poet Sayed Fokhrul, the weekly Kamalganj Sangbad Editor Mohammad Sanwar Hossain, journalist Mohammad Shahin Ahmed, Comrade Afruz Ahmed, journalist Pronit Ranjon Debnath.
The speakers also urged the local people to take up agitation programme to realize the compensation and assured them to provide support.
During the visit on yesterday to the area, many affected people while talking to this correspondent expressed surprise why the compensation could not be realized in eighteen years.
They also criticized the government for allowing another US company to drill well in the area while compensation from a US company could not be realized.
The forest has lost many species of wild animals. According to experts, it will take at least 50 years for the forest to recoup its environmental losses.
Operators of Magurchhara gas field has been changed three times since the accident. American company Chevron operates the field at present.
Petrobangla had estimated that losses incurred due to the burning of gas during the explosion would be worth Tk3, 900 cr but Occidental had paid a mere Tk38 cr in damages so far.
