Barapukuria Coalmine
'Don't take any decision harmful for local people'
Leaders of National Oil, Gas, Power, Mineral resources and Port Protection Committee at a meeting yesterday urged the caretaker government not to take any decision that will go against the people's interest.
Serving the interest of multi-national companies ignoring people's sentiment cannot be allowed, they said at a seminar on 'Development of north and maximum utilization of mineral resources for national interest'.
Pirganj upazila unit of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources and Power Port Protection Committee organized the seminar at Pirganj upazila auditorium in Thakurgaon.
People stopped smuggling of gas in to India from Bibiana by staging a long march in 2002 and resisted the smuggling of coal by Asia Energy through a mass agitation in Fulbari on August 26, 2006, the speakers said.
The mineral resources should be used for the welfare of common people who are the owner of the resources, Prof Anu Muhammad said.
We oppose open pit mining in the country as the process will have serious consequences on the surrounding areas, he said, adding that Asia energy has invested Tk 18,000 crore with the hope of plundering huge amount of national resources.
Engineer Sheikh Muhammad Sohidullah, convener of the central committee, said if needed mass movement will be launched to resist any conspiracy to smuggle our oil, gas and mineral resources.
Noor Muhammad demanded formulation of a long-term energy plan that would reflect national interest.
Among others, Prof Yasin Ali, member secretary of the local committee and Sumsuzzoha Bablu, Member secretary of Thakurgaon district unit, spoke on the programme presided over by Monsurul Alam, convener of Pirganj upazila unit of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources and Power Port Protection Committee.
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