Villagers won't give land if 'reasonable' price not fixed

The land subsidence affected villagers around Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) yesterday said they would not give any land for acquiring until the government finalises the land price according to the earlier agreement signed between affected villagers and BCMCL authorities.
The villagers in Barapukuria, who are affected by the land subsidence due to coal mining, will not allow officials to conduct any survey until the government settles the land price, said the members of Barapkuria Bhumi O Sampad Rakkha Committee, a breakaway organisation of Barapukuria Zibon O Sampad Rakkha Committee, at a press conference in Dinajpur Press Club.
Md Mosiur Rahman, adviser of Barapkuria Bhumi O Sampad Rakkha Committee, read out the keynote of the press conference where organisation president Md Mokhlesur Rahman along with other members were present.
The survey team could not conduct their survey due to resistance by the villagers during the last few days, sources said.
The leaders of the committee held a meeting with State Minister for Land Md Mostafizur Rahman on September 8 when the minister declared a total package as a compensation and rehabilitation for the affected villagers, speakers said at the meeting.
At the meeting the minister said that the government would acquire land at Tk 20 lakh and Tk 25 lakh per acre of arable and dwelling land respectively of the affected area, they said.
But referring to the agreement signed between villagers and coal mine authorities on May 15 last year, the affected villagers told the reporters that land price was fixed at least Tk 40 lakh per acre.
Sources said that affected villagers started the agitation in January this year as the BCMCL authorities failed to show any progress to meet their demands according to the MoU signed in May last year.
The demands included a permanent resettlement of affected villagers and compensation for land subsidence.
In March this year, the affected villagers at a rally in front of BCMCL gate demanded an increase in the cost of land per acre to Tk 60 lakh.
"The government first has to be clear about the land price. BCMCL and Petrobangla have been given much time to resolve the issue but they neglected them," said Md Mokhlesur Rahman, president of Bhumi O Sampad Rakkha Committee.
BCMCL officials said they have to complete the survey first to disburse the compensation.
The rehabilitation plan, recently taken by the government, and a Resettlement Framework for the affected families are also in place in addition to the compensation for the land acquired, said an official seeking anonymity.
Sources said that the land subsidence of BCMCL project affected about 2600 families with 646 acres of land. Land subsidence in BCMCL area was first detected in May 2006.
When contacted, BCMCL Managing Director Md Quamruzzaman said that they have taken a Tk 324crore mega plan to rehabilitate the villagers and the plan has already been submitted for government's approval.