CPB, BSD to agitate countrywide Nov 26 against Rampal power plant

The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) yesterday announced a “countrywide agitation” on November 26 demanding cancellation of the coal-based Rampal power plant project to save the Sundarbans, situated 14 kilometres away from the project site.

Meanwhile, BNP expressed solidarity with the demand and condemned the charging of baton by police on a “road march” of Gonotantrik Bam Morcha over the demand in Manikganj and Magura on Friday and Saturday. CPB and BSD also pledged joining two programmes of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports -- a “Dhaka Rally” on October 29 and a “National Convention for Saving Sundarbans” on November 14.

Addressing a joint press conference at CBP's office in the capital's Paltan, the leaders also shared experiences in their five-day “Expedition to Save Sundarbans” from Dhaka to Bagerhat ending on Saturday.

The expedition faced obstruction from the government and ruling party in many spots, reads their written statement.

In Manikganj, their rally had to be shifted to before the press club from the court premises; in Jhenidah, dais construction and use of loudspeakers were obstructed; and in Katakhali, speeches had to be shortened, said Manjurul Ahsan Khan, advisor and former president of CPB. 

BSD General Secretary Khalequzzaman said the expedition garnered immense public support.

CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim said the Sundarbans was not only Bangladeshis' asset but also of the world community and the government could not destroy it only to serve the interests of profit hungry quarters.

The leaders urged cancelling the project before the Climate Change International Conference, scheduled to be held in Paris on November 30.  

Reading out the statement, BSD Central Committee Member Bazlur Rashid Firoz threatened to otherwise initiate a “long march” toward Dhaka.

BNP

In a statement, BNP spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon express sympathy towards those injured in the baton charge and urged establishing the plant in a place where there would be no harm to people and the environment.

“The oppression…is only possible under an irresponsible and autocratic ruling system,” he said, demanding an Environmental Impact Assessment on the project.