Mining and environment
Professor Anu Muhammad has campaigned for reason and fairness in protecting the rights of Bangladeshis faced with expropriation of their land and livelihood by mining developments such as that pursued by the mining companies in Phulbari. Professor Muhammad has rightly pointed out the risks and damages from the proposed open-pit coal mining development, where the costs will be born first by those in the vicinity of the mine and then by all Bangladeshis in the resulting contribution to climate-induced sea level rise. Those who have questioned the Phulbari mining development have been subject to violence and intimidation. This includes the deaths of local protestors after police fired on crowds and the current death threats against Professor Anu Muhammad for speaking out on the project.
Regardless of who is behind the violence and threats, it is clear that the violence is directly associated with the development, if not the developers.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments