The setting up of a coal-based power plant near the Sundarbans is an “anti-state activity” of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia last night.

She said the premier and her government would be held accountable when they would be out of power for installing the Rampal power plant “at the cost of the country's interest”.

Khaleda came up with the reaction while exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community at her Gulshan office.

In the afternoon, the PM in a press conference at the Gono Bhaban defended the Rampal power plant refuting concerns over adverse impact on the largest mangrove forest in the world.

In her brief speech, Khaleda called upon the people to unite and raise their voices against the Rampal power plant. She said the government would be forced to backtrack if a united and strong movement could be launched.

The BNP chief also asked the PM to explain what the “wrong and incorrect” information were provided in Khaleda's August-24 press conference on Rampal power plant.

“Sundarbans is our national treasure; it's not a property of any organisation. We are not against setting up of power plants, but not at the cost of the Sundarbans. The power plant can be set up in another place without affecting the environment,” she added.

ON MILITANCY

Khaleda said the government was “crying about militancy to hide its misdeeds”.

“You have seen that there has been no investigation so far on the attack on Holey Artisan café. The government is yet to inform people who were behind this attack. Then the Kalyanpur incident came into the fore. You have seen photographs of that operation … Seven to eight shots to the back that killed them all…They were at their young age and were educated. It is understood that the incident was staged. Why were they killed?” she said.

She alleged that the real militants had not been arrested. “After arresting someone, they [law enforcement agencies] killed them only to earn praise.”

On the militants killed in a gunfight in Narayanganj yesterday, Khaleda asked why were they not arrested and instead killed.