Underground explosion blamed for damage of many house walls

Talking to this correspondent, many people in Magura, Kouchapara, Charhalia, and Kadirabad villages claimed that the walls cracked due to the explosions because the earth shook during the blasts.

Sunwin Mining Company of China, hired by Hosaf International, is surveying 12 sq km area in Khalashpir for about three months.

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The affected villagers are demanding compensation.

Local Union Parishad Chairman Saiful Islam told The Daily Star that he talked to Hosaf International officials and they have agreed to pay compensation, but the offer is to small.

When contacted, Pirganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Azizul Islam said he has not yet been officially informed of the damage cause to houses in Khalashpir.

"Affected people should be compensated if this has happened there," the UNO said.

This correspondent talked to Anup Kumar, geologist of

Hosaf International at Khalashpir. He said mud walls may crack during underground explosions.

The Geological Survey of Bangladesh, after a preliminary survey, earlier estimated that there could be a deposit of 700 million tonnes of bituminous coal under 30 to 40 feet depth in 25 sqare kilometre area in Khalashpir.

Hosaf International started a geological survey of the area in January 2005 under a contract with the government.