Police yesterday foiled protest programmes by locals and environment activists against the government decision to set up coal based thermal power plants in Rampal uapzila.
Terming it a threat to the Sundarbans and its biodiversity, hundreds of people tried to form a human chain and hold a rally at Foyla on Mongla-Khulna highway in Rampal in the morning. They also tried to stage a similar programme at Bhottey Bridge in Sadar upazila.
Police foiled both the attempts and arrested two activists- Paevez Hossain and Hemayetul Islam.
Save the Sundarbans, Centre for Human Rights Movement (CHRM) and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) jointly organised the programme.
Sources said, two coal based thermal power plants, each 1300 MW under Bangladesh-India joint venture are being built in Rampal upazila. It is jointly financed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) and National Thermal Power Company of India.
The land ministry has already approved the acquisition of 1,834 acres of land in Sapmaree, Katakhalee and Koygardaskati Beel of the upazila.
The place is very close to the Sundarbans threatening bio-diversity of the mangrove forest, said Bapa joint secretary Shajahan Mridha.
About police action he said that the government took away people's democratic right to stage protest.
Sheikh Faridul Islam, chief co-ordinator of Save the Sundarbans, Abdul Malek Gazi, secretary general of CHRB and Shahjahan Mridha later returned to the capital as police foiled the programme.
Shahidul Islam Shahin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Rampal police station said two people were arrested as they locked in altercation with police.
Source : The Daily Star
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