A day after Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury announced the government’s decision to lay the foundation of the coal-based Rampal Thermal Power Plant on Oct 22, the National Committee on Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, and Power-Port has vowed to resist the function.
Published : 26 Sep 2013, 08:30 PM
The committee’s Convener, Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah, made the announcement at a street rally demanding scrapping of the project, as the marchers reached Magura on Thursday, covering a third of way to the plant site in Bagherhat.
“The ceremony to lay the foundation of the Rampal Power Plant will be resisted at any cost. The project will destroy the Sundarbans, and we will prevent it by getting the people on our side and sacrificing our lives, if necessary.”
The PM’s Adviser said on Wednesday that the plant’s foundation stone would be laid on Oct 22.
The Rampal Thermal Power Plant, an India-Bangladesh initiative, will be located within 14 km of the Sundarbans.
The pro-left participants in the long march alleged that the coal-based project would harm biodiversity and ruin the world heritage.
The government has been claiming that the environment would not be harmed, as there would be enough checks to prevent pollution.
Adviser Tawfiq said on Wednesday those against the power plant were being driven by emotion, not by any logic.
The committee’s Member Secretary Anu Muhammad also addressed Magura’s street rally.
“The Energy Adviser has said that those participating in the long march have nothing to do. So they are roaming about in a long march.”
“Those taking part in the long march are working for people’s interest. But Tawfiq-e-Elahi is busy collecting commission by establishing the plant that will destroy the country.”
The committee members began their march on Tuesday in a bid to stall the project. They marched toward Jhenidah after the Magura rally. They will spend the night at Jessore.
The march is scheduled to end with a rally at Digraj, in Bagherhat. A declaration is expected during its conclusion on Sep 28.