Thousands protest against Phulbari coal mine project

At a protest rally held on the Urboshi cinema hall premises, the speakers urged the government and the authorities concerned to stop the "so-called" coal mine project implementation in Phulbari and nearby two upazilas. They also gave 21 days' ultimatum for this.

Md Shajahan Ali Sarker Putu, chairman of Phulbari Pourashava and convenor of Phulbari Protection Committee, presided over the meeting attended by political leaders, businessmen, teachers, NGO representatives, journalists and people from all walks of life.

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Later the committee handed the Phulbari upazila nirbahi officer a memorandum addressed to the prime minister.

Asia Energy, engaged in carrying out a feasibility study on Phulbari mine since April 2004, has recently completed its test drilling operations in the five square kilometre area, boring as many as 107 holes in Phulbari upazila.

Under their comprehensive plan, the company will develop and extract coal from the country's largest coal mine with a total reserve of about 470 million tons of coal.

Asia Energy, a subsidiary of the UK-based Carbine Mining Group, is planning to start the physical works on the mine from next year after completion of the present study in September.

Meanwhile, Asia Energy sources said an estimated 6.5 square km area of Phulbari and its nearby two upazilas will be required for extracting coal from the mine through applying the open pit methodology.

The project details will be finalised after environmental and social impact assessment, they added.