Locals protest open pit mining

They formed a big human chain, brought out processions and held a rally protesting the mining method, alleging that this will damage the environment and displace hundreds of families.

They also demanded punishment to the officials and political leaders concerned who allowed the open pit mining method.

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The programmes were organised by the Phulbari Coalmine Implementation Resist Committee, an organisation formed in May this year to resist the project.

The protestors who gathered from the three upazilas formed a human chain stretching from Dinajpur Municipality Office to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital. They carried banners, posters and festoons protesting open pit mining method.

They claimed that at least 8,000 acres of arable land in the three upazilas will be rendered uncultivable and hundreds of families displaced in the areas.

Besides, several lakh people will be affected in the areas, speakers at the rally said.

They claimed that the decision was taken to serve the interest of the multinational company.

They also demanded that the contract with the mining company be made public. Natural resources should be utilised for welfare of the people and the country.

Asia Energy, a subsidiary of the UK based Carbone Mining Group, is planning to start work at the mining site from next year after completion of the on-going study, sources said.

Sources in Asia Energy said about 6.5 square kilometre area will be needed for extracting coal from the mine through the open pit method.