Miners reject talks offer, continue strike
Bangladeshi miners at Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) and villagers affected by land subsidence nearby continued their indefinite strike yesterday as no effective steps have been taken to resolve the ongoing crisis.
Due to the strike, coal production remained suspended for the seventh consecutive day yesterday, BCMCL Managing Director (MD) Habib Uddin Ahmed said.
The agitating miners and affected villagers encircled the BCMCL complex from outside and resisted movement of about 150 Bangladeshi officials and 300 foreign nationals. But the confined officials were allowed to buy food, medicines and other essentials under police protection on Friday night.
MD Habib said BCMCL authorities requested the agitating miners and villagers to sit for talks with Petrobangla chairman to reach a solution in this regard, which the latter rejected.
BCMCL Miners and Workers Union President Rabiul Islam and its Secretary Abu Sufian at a press conference in front of the coalmine compound yesterday said they won't be sitting with anybody unless the four cases, including two in 2014, filed against them are not withdrawn immediately.
Around 1,000 miners and villagers affected by land subsidence in Parbatipur went on the indefinite strike on May 13 demanding implementation of their 13-point and six-point demands respectively.
Meanwhile, the agitating miners demanded removal of BCMCL MD Habib Uddin, Secretary Kashem Prodhania and GM (Admin) Masudur Rahman.
Comments