Coal culprits had govt support: Prof Anu

Coal from Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited was looted with the support of the government, said Prof Anu Muhammad, member secretary of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, yesterday.

“Looting of coal from Barapukuria coal mine is another example of large-scale corruption in the country. The government failed to protect the country's resources,” he said.

The noted economist was speaking as the chief guest at a rally held at Nimtolamor in Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur, marking “Phulbari Day” yesterday.

On August 26, 2006, people of Phulbari and its surrounding upazilas brought out a procession, protesting the proposed open-pit Phulbari coal mining project. Law enforcers opened fire on the protesters, killing at least three people and injuring more than 200.

Since then, people of Phulbari upazila have been observing the day as a “black day”.

At the rally, Prof Anu Muhammad said, “The government is arresting students who demanded safe roads. On the other hand, it is not arresting those involved in large-scale corruption.”

He demanded immediate arrest of those behind the Barapukuria coal scam.

He also urged the government to implement the six-point demand signed 12 years ago on August 30 in 2006. The demands include withdrawal of cases against leaders of the Phulbari movement.

Syed Saiful Islam Jewel, convener of Phulbari unit of the national committee, threatened to launch a tougher movement if their demands were not met by next month. 

Junaid Saki, chief coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan; Mosharraf Hossain Nannu of United Communist League; Shaheen Rahman, a central leader of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB); Ansar Ali Dulal, central leader of Biplobi Workers Party, and Rabindranath Soren, president of Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, also spoke.

Earlier, floral wreaths were placed at a memorial beside the river Jamuna to mark the day.

In Dhaka, leaders of the national committee demanded that the government publish a white paper on all projects relating to power and energy.

Leaders of CPB, Biplobi Workers Party and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, among others, spoke at the programme at Central Shaheed Minar.