Find alternatives to coal, gas

Suggesting the government to find out alternative source of fuel, Professor Anu Muhammad -- member secretary of National Committee for Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports -- yesterday said waste materials and solar energy can be used as sources to generate power, to meet the increasing demand in the country.  

He was speaking as chief guest at a rally in Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur yesterday, marking 13th anniversary of Phulbari Day.

Dinajpur chapter of the national committee organised the event.

“We do not want any development project in the country that affects human lifestyle, nature and ecological system”, he said.   

A large volume of waste is produced in Phulbari every day, which can be used as an alternative source of fuel to generate power. Besides, the government can set up solar plant in the upazila, he suggested. About the Phulbari coal mine, Prof Mohammad said Asia Energy has continued its efforts to persuade government and people of Phulbari to implement the coal mine project.

He urged the government to close down activities of Asia Energy in Bangladesh, and demanded that the cases pressed by the company against people of Phulbari be withdrawn.  

“People of Phulbari will not allow a coal mine,” he said.

If the demands are not met within September, they would hold agitation in front of PMO in October and November to press the government to accept the demands.  

Archaeologist Mehdi Hasan, coal mine expert Dr Nusrat Zahan, and Zonayed Saki of Gonosamhati Andolan also spoke at the programme.

Earlier in the morning, people of Phulbari and leaders of the committee brought out a mourning procession in the town, which paraded different streets with placards opposing the coal mine. Later, they paid tribute at the altar of three people who were killed on August 26, 2006, as the then BDR personnel fired bullets on protesters.

More than 200 people were injured in the incident, which is now observed as Phulbari Day.