Hundreds line up to resist move to shift gas plant from Ashuganj

People from all walks of life line up in their hundreds from Ashuganj toll plaza to Sunarampur village on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to protest a decision to shift the NGL Fractional Plant of Rupantarito Natural Gas Company from Ashuganj to Koilastila. PHOTO: STAR

Part of the highway from Ashuganj toll plaza to Sunarampur village were crowded with people from all walks of life including political figures, teachers and students of different schools and colleges and businessmen to express their solidarity with the resistance movement called by the All-party Action Committee.

Led by the Action Committee convenor Md Isa Khan, people lined up by hundreds near Ashuganj toll plaza forming a human chain.

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Later, they held a rally at Ashugonj Rail Gate field with the Action Committee convenor Md Isa Khan in the chair.

A month-long programme was announced from the rally to prevent shifting of the plant. They expressed their firm determination to resist the evil move 'even by shedding their blood'.

The speakers demanded of the authorities concerned to cancel the decision of shifting of the plant by March 10, otherwise, they declared to forge a tougher agitation including hartal (strike). They declared to stop the Ashuganj Power Plant and the Zia Fertilizer Company Limited.

The rally was addressed, among others, by member secretary of the committee Md Shahjahan Alam Saju, Md Bazlur Rahman Bhuiyan, Abdul Hakim, Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Md Tanvir Hossain, Md Salim Pervez, Md Neaz Khan and Tanshen.

Earlier, they submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through Ashuganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

The demonstrators brought out another angry procession in Ashuganj Bandar town. They paraded the main streets of the town and held a protest rally there.

Previously, the demonstrators held a press conference at Ashuganj Sadar Union Parishad Auditorium on Monday.

Action committee member secretary Principal Md Shahjahan Alam Saju read their demands.

Among others, Md Mojibur Rahman Majnu, Char-tala Union Paishad (UP) Chairman, Saju Khan, Chairman of Durgapur UP, Ibrahim Molla, acting Chairman of Ashuganj UP, Haji Md Shahjahan, Jatiya Party central leader Md Mojibur Rahman, freedom fighter Sheikh Jashim Uddin, businessman Mijanuar Rahman, ex-chairman Ismail Seraji, Workers' Party leader Abdul Hakim, Jubo League leader Md Hanif, Chhatra League President Matiur Rahman Sarker, Mubarak Ali Chowdury and Subedar (retd) Abdul Malek addressed the conference.