They also demanded formation of an investigation committee led by a Supreme Court justice to find out the persons and organisations involved in the process of signing gas and coal mining contracts that went against national interest and the economy.

The Shaptahik 2000, a Bangla weekly, organised the roundtable on 'recent incidents in Phulbari and mineral resources of Bangladesh' at the National Press Club.

"We are not in favour of keeping coal under the ground, but we are against its sale after extraction.

Because it will not have much contribution to our economy," said Professor Anu Muhammad in his keynote presentation.

Coalmines must be developed for energy security, and that is why the contract with Asia Energy Corporation (AEC) must be cancelled, he said, adding that under the contract AEC have 100 percent ownership and more than 90 percent of the coal will be exported.

He said, "A question has been raised that AEC will go to the international court where Bangladesh might have to compensate the company. But according to Energy Adviser Mahmudur Rahman, no mining contract was signed. So, there should not be any question of AEC going to the court."

The Jahangirnagar University professor suggested increasing local expertise for extraction of coal by local experts and not by foreign companies. "But regrettably, suggested by the World Bank our successive governments have been downsizing national companies like Bapex, allowing multinational companies into our gas and coal fields."

There were no accidents like Magurchhara or Tengratila when local companies went for mining, meaning that they are more competent than many foreign companies, he said.

Professor of Economics Anu Muhammad, also member secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Electricity and Port, alleged that AEC wanted to convince the people of Phulbaria with bribes, but failed to realise that the common people of this country are not as corrupt as the politicians.

Dhaka University Professor Abu Ahmed said an African country, Chad, is demanding 60 percent royalty, while Bolivia has totally nationalised the mineral resources sector. "So, why should Bangladesh get only six percent royalty?" he questioned.

He also raised a question regarding why there was not any tender for leasing out the Phulbari coalmine before any contract. Foreign energy companies are exploiting Bangladesh through production sharing contracts (PSCs) where they say that Bangladesh will get a percentage of gas or so only after cost recovery. "But costs are never recovered for the companies."

Prof Abu Ahmed, also an economist, suggested that the government should appreciate movements like the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Electricity and Port, as it can identify the loopholes in contracts through such movements.

Professor Shamsul Alam of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology demanded trial of Energy Adviser Mahmudur Rahman and former state minister for energy and mineral resources Mosharraf Hossain saying they lied to the people about gas and coalmine contracts.

Asia Energy also committed a crime by its attempt to bribe local residents, politicians and the local administration, he said terming the deal with AEC 'illegal and discriminatory'. Asia Energy should therefore be driven away from the country, he said.

Justice Golam Rabbani said AEC will not be successful if it goes to the international court as the deal was not done legally. "There can be legal fights only when a contract is signed legally."

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim said all must be alert so that the success in Phulbari cannot be hijacked by vested quarters. "The peoples' victory that we saw in Phulbari and Kansat can be turned into a mass revolution," he said.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Huq Inu apprehended that the present alliance government made secret financial transactions with Asia Energy for the deal.

The Khaleda-Nizami government has been in favour of exporting gas and coal, he said adding, "Khaleda Zia knows how these transactions have been made, because such major deals are not made without the prime minister's nod."

A national consensus should be there on export of mineral resources, he said, adding that these should not be exported for temporary profit.

Amirul Islam Bablu, a local leader from Phulbari, said a stronger movement will be launched in Phulbari if the government does not implement the agreements that it made with the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Electricity and Port.

Committee Convenor Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Workers Party leader Haider Akbar Khan Rono, journalist Syed Abul Maksud, DU Professor Akmal Hossain, CPB leader Ruhin Hossain Prince, Channel i Chief News Editor Shah Alamgir, Professor Salimullah Khan, and National Adivasi Parishad General Secretary Rabindranath Soren also spoke at the roundtable moderated by Shaptahik 2000 Acting Editor Golam Mortoza.