Rejoinder and our reply

Paramount Holdings Limited on 31 March sent a rejoinder to our report "Of coercion and collusion" published on 27 March. We are publishing the full unedited rejoinder singed by Robiul Islam FCS, company secretary, along with our reply.

Paramount Holdings Limited as the local arranger & developer of DSEPL [Dynamic Sun Energy Private Ltd] purchased around 139 acres of nonagricultural land through legal process and register deeds & documents are available. It may be mentioned here that this process was started more than three years ago to facilitate our government's renewable green energy pledge, however due to the Covid-19 pandemic, things were on hold for the last two years. As the land was left unoccupied for an extended period, some local miscreants who are opposed to foreign investment started putting undue pressure and tried to spoil the process by hiring goons who threatened dire consequences if their demanded amount was not paid. Moreover in the darkness of night, they removed the boundary pillars of the land, stole huge barbed wire.

It should also be mentioned here that these lands are nonagricultural and char-sandy areas that remain inundated for 4-5 months a year. A certificate from department of agriculture & UP chairman office in this regard are attached herewith.

OUR REPLY

The report was based on allegations of the farmers. The Daily Star talked with different farmers in the area and recorded their comments. The agitated farmers submitted complaints to Pabna deputy commissioner's office and also to the local lawmaker about grabbing their land. The Daily Star obtained a copy of the complaint filed submitted to the DC office.

The Daily Star also talked with other people including local UP chairman, former chairman and the company'slegal adviser and published key points of their comments too.

The deputy commissioner formed a probe committee to investigate the allegations of farmers.

We stand by our story.