Hundreds join protests at Banshkhali

Rights activists, political leaders and people from different walks of life on Friday joined protest rallies of several thousand villagers at Banshkhali in Chittagong and demanded that the government scrap the power plant project.
Villagers under the banner ‘Save Gondamara’ and National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power, and Ports separately held programmes at Banshkhali, protesting at the killing of four villagers who were shot dead while protesting at the installation of a coal-based power plant there.
The villagers reiterated their vow to resist the proposed coal-fired power plant in the area by a local conglomerate, S Alam Group, and threatened to launch a tougher movement if the authorities concerned did not abandon the project in the area.
Different organistions in Dhaka also held demonstrations and issued statements demanding punishment of those involved in the firing on villagers.
Several thousand people from Gondamara and nearby areas attended in the rally at the Gondamara Primary School field where four villagers were killed and dozens injured on April 4 in a clash between police and the local people.
Former Chittagong city mayor Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury was present as chief guest in the condolence rally under the banner of ‘Save Gondamara’ while ‘Basatvita O Gorastan Raksha Sangram Committee’ convener Liakat Ali addressed the rally.
National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power, and Ports formed a human chain at Banshkhali, protesting the killing of the four people.
‘We call upon the government to shift the power plant project from the area,’ said Anu Muhammad, member secretary of the committee, who also demanded compensation for families of those killed in firing.
Human Rights activist Sultana Kamal, who was also present at the demonstration, said, ‘The plant should not be built to satisfy a few people and at the expense of the livelihood of local people and the environment.’
Meanwhile, general students of Greater Chittagong district formed an one hour human chain in front of National Press Club, where Dhaka University teacher Sukomal Barua demanded arrest and exemplary punishments of those responsible for the Banshkhali killings.
Student leaders Shahi Alam, Zakaria Hossain and others spoke at the human chain rally.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyer Association in a statement called for proper investigation into the killing incident.
‘We want proper measure to be taken against the responsible members of law enforcing agencies and withdrawal of cases against the villagers,’ chief executive of BELA Syeda Rizwana Hasan said in the statement.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net