Barapukuria land subsidence victims begin fast-unto-death
Dinajpur, Mar 10 (UNB) - Hundreds of people affected due to land subsidence in Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) area began fast-unto-death on Wednesday demanding compensation and permanent rehabilitation.
Local sources said the residents of several affected villages under the banner of Committee to Save Life and Property began their strike in front of the BCMCL main gate at 12 noon. Earlier, they started to gather there from the morning.
Affected landowners said about 2,600 families of the area have been living under the risk of the land subsidence since production started at the coalmine in 2004.
“About three-fourth of 11 villages in the area developed cracks and several 100 acres of land have been sunk since then,” said the affected people.
Committee to Save Life and Property gave an ultimatum to the state-owned Petrobangla to meet their demands within February 20.
Petrobangla Chairman Dr Hossain Mansur had also two meetings with the affected villagers on February 19. However, the meetings ended fruitless as the Petrobangla Chairman sought three and a half months to solve their problems.
Ibrahim Khalil, convener of the Committee to Save Life and Property, said they would continue their fast-unto-death until their demands are met.
He alleged that the government bureaucrats created hindrance in reaching an understanding with the Petrobangla.
Additional police have been deployed in and around the BCMCL to fend off any untoward incident.
Local sources said the residents of several affected villages under the banner of Committee to Save Life and Property began their strike in front of the BCMCL main gate at 12 noon. Earlier, they started to gather there from the morning.
Affected landowners said about 2,600 families of the area have been living under the risk of the land subsidence since production started at the coalmine in 2004.
“About three-fourth of 11 villages in the area developed cracks and several 100 acres of land have been sunk since then,” said the affected people.
Committee to Save Life and Property gave an ultimatum to the state-owned Petrobangla to meet their demands within February 20.
Petrobangla Chairman Dr Hossain Mansur had also two meetings with the affected villagers on February 19. However, the meetings ended fruitless as the Petrobangla Chairman sought three and a half months to solve their problems.
Ibrahim Khalil, convener of the Committee to Save Life and Property, said they would continue their fast-unto-death until their demands are met.
He alleged that the government bureaucrats created hindrance in reaching an understanding with the Petrobangla.
Additional police have been deployed in and around the BCMCL to fend off any untoward incident.
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