Attack on N’ganj cultural activists denounced [ Tritiyo Matra News ]

Attack on N’ganj cultural activists denounced

Local July 13, 2017

Attack on cultural activists in Narayanganj following a rally opposing a proposed coal-fired power plant near Sundarban on Tuesday has drew widespread criticism and condemnation.
Anti-Rampal movement could not be stopped by such ‘cowardly’ attack on campaigners, said Anu Muhammad, the member secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports on Wednesday.
Addressing a rally in Narayanganj, the economics professor also held the ruling Awami League responsible for the attack.
‘Goons, who were brought up by ruling party leaders, launched the attack on the activists of the committee as they were campaigning against the Rampal power plant near Sundarban,’ said Anu Muhammad.
He complained that a Narayanganj MP was providing backup to the attackers and trying to defend Indian interests.
‘No one could save the lawmaker in time of people’s upsurge,’ he said.
Chaired by cultural activist Rafiur Rabbi, the rally was also addressed by Mahbubur Rahman, Halim Azad, Abdur Rahman, Hafizul Islam, Awlad Hossain, among other.
In another rally held in front of the National Museum in Dhaka, leaders of the oil-gas committee termed the attack on campaigners as the governments’ fascist move.
They vowed to continue their protests amid ‘the government repression.’
Oil-gas committee leader Ruhin Hossain Prince said the government and ruling party activists was violating the democratic rights of the people.
Another leader of the committee, Zonayed Saki, said the government was disseminating confusing information and blatant lies at home and abroad regarding the Rampal power plant.
He also demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the attackers in Narayanganj and Khulna.
On Tuesday evening, unidentified persons swooped on anti-Rampal activists at Chashara Shaheed Minar in Narayanganj just after a rally protesting at the power plant.
Severely injured poet Arif Bulbul was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital while the three others were undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
Foreign affairs ministry on July 5 made a statement that UNESCO during the World Heritage Committee’s 41st session in Poland withdrew its objection over the location of the controversial power plant as it was being constructed near the Sunderban, a World Heritage site.
Green activists rejected the statement saying that the government was oversimplifying the UNESCO’s position.
Bangladesh and India jointly were implementing construction of 1320MW Rampal coal-fired power plant near the Sundarban amid widespread criticism in and outside the country.
Over the seven years, left politicians, students, environment campaigners and cultural activities had been protesting the implementation of the hazardous power plant.