Roadblock in Phulbari
Roadblock in Phulbari
People of Phulbari yesterday blocked Dinajpur-Dhaka Highway in Nimtola area under Phulbari municipality, protesting the visit of Gary Lye, chief executive officer (CEO) of Asia Energy Corporation (Bangladesh), to its local office on Wednesday.
They blocked the highway as part of the daylong road blockade programme announced by the local unit of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports on Wednesday.
The protesters burned tyres on the road at Nimtola intersection in the morning and took out processions at the upazila headquarters. Addressing a rally there, they asked Asia Engry not to go ahead with its plan for open-pit mining in the area and withdraw its office from Phulbari.
“We will not allow open-pit coalmine in Phulbari and elsewhere in the country,” they said.
Vehicles went off the roads and shops and business establishments also remained closed during the programme. Additional police were deployed at all key points in Phulbari and Asia Energy office.
On Wednesday, locals attacked Asia Energy office where Gary Lye, who arrived at Phulbari on November 24, was holding a meeting with the company's officials and some local agents.
The agitators brought out a procession in Phulbari town and blocked Dinajpur-Dhaka highway in Nimtola area. Brandishing sticks, they marched towards the Asia Energy office at around 1:30pm, hurled brick chips at the office and vandalised two vehicles of the company. They also gave an ultimatum to CEO Gary Lye to leave Phulbari within an hour.
Police rushed to the spot, dispersed the agitators and brought the situation under control. Gary Lye left Phulbari for Dinajpur town under police escort.