Stop Niko's work, release White Paper on deals

They also gave the government a 30-day deadline to accept their 9-point demand and threatened of tougher agitation for non-compliance.

The demands include realisation of compensation for losses suffered by people in Teangratila and for gas burnt out due to blowouts and publication of a white paper on deals with Niko.

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Otherwise, a tougher agitation programme will be announced after August 22, speakers at the rally said.

The rally was part of a day-long programme held at the Court Point.

It was organised by the Chhatak Samity and the Dakshin Chhatak Unnayan Parishad in Sylhet, two non-political forums.

A month-long programme was also announced at the rally to create public opinion in favour of the demands.

The programme that began yesterday includes mass contact at grass root level in Chhatak and Doarabazar upazilas, holding of protest rallies and view-exchange meetings with professional groups.

If the authorities fail to accept the demands, a tougher agitation programme will be announced on August 22, the speakers said.

Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran addressed the rally, presided over by Principal Akhlaqur Rahman, President of Chhatak Samity in Sylhet.

It was also addressed by, among others, Sylhet Awami League President ANM Shafique, former lawmaker Muhammad Ashraf Ali, former chairman of Chhatak Pourashava Abdul Wahid Majnu, district unit president of Sylhet Bibhag Unnayan Parishad Rafiqul Haque, Assistant Secretary of Sylhet Jamat-e-Islami Syed Fazlullah Bahar, JSD General Secretary Syed Habibur Rahman Hiron, Sylhet city AL vice- president Rajuddin Ahmed, Ward Commissioner Abdul Khalique and Govindaganj Alia Madrashah Principal Moulana Abdus Salam Al Madani.

They said people of greater Sylhet region along with leaders of all political parties will join the agitation programme to realise the demands.

They demanded immediate stoppage of exploration activities by Niko at Tengratila and payment of compensation for damage of crops, houses and the environmental in the area.

They alleged that Niko was given the exploration work at Tengratila through a 'dubious deal'. People have the right to know it.

The incompetent company has already burnt out gas worth hundreds of crores of Taka due to two blowouts in only six months. But, the government did not take any action against it, they said. Rather it has been allowed to continue work in the same location. They said some powerful quarters within the government are active to save Nico, they said .

They also demanded expulsion of other foreign companies who got exploration blocks through alleged unfair means, realisation of compensation for damages caused by Occidental at Magurchhara, formation of judicial committees to probe irregularities in the oil and gas sector, rehabilitation of the affected people of Tengratila, declaration of Tengratila a 'disaster zone' and supply of drinking water, food, and medicines there.

They also demanded steps to revamp government owned Bapex, exploration wing of Petrobangla, with adequate manpower and funds and to give it greater responsibilities.

Before the rally, the podium was kept open for all, when mass songs were rendered and representatives of various professional groups spoke.