Use national resources for people's welfare
Human chains across country demand
National Committee for Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Electricity and Ports form a human chain in front of Gopalganj Press Club, left, and on Panchagarh-Dhaka highway near the government auditorium in Panchagarh town yesterday. The committee also took similar programmes across the country demanding steps to ensure use of natural resources for people's welfare.Photo: STAR
National Committee for Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Electricity and Ports yesterday formed human chains and held rallies in districts as part of their countrywide programme demanding use of national resources to serve people's interest. The committee formed human chains at Thakurgaon Intersection in the town, in front of Panchagarh Auditorium and at Zero Point in Tentulia, reports our Thakurgaon correspondent. At discussions in the areas, the committee leaders urged implementation of their seven-point demand including postponement of the agreement to lease three offshore fields in the Bay of Bengal to explore oil and gas with provision for 80 per cent export. Oil and gas should be exported only after meeting national requirement, the speakers said, adding that exploration for and extraction of all mineral resources should be done through state-owned bodies to serve people's interest. Convener of Thakurgaon unit of the committee Principal Merazul Hossain presided over the meeting at Thakurgaon while former lawmaker and Workers Party leader Shahidullah Shahid addressed, among others. Rajshahi University (RU) unit of National Committee for Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Electricity and Ports yesterday formed a human chain near Kazla Gate at the university to press home its seven-point demand, reports a RU correspondent. They also held a rally where speakers demanded cancellation of any 'harmful deed' to lease offshore blocks to multinational companies for drilling. They urged the government and demanded new acts for dealing with offshore drilling with the inclusion of native companies cancelling exporting model 'Model PSC 2008'. Speakers demanded punishment to the police personnel responsible for the baton charge on Prof Anu Muhammad and other activists of the committee at a procession on September 2 last year. Rajshahi University unit convener of the committee Dr Muhammad Nasir, NAP Rajshahi district Secretary Mustafizur Rahman Khan Alam, CPB Rajshahi city President Abul Kalam Azad spoke, among others. Our Gaibandha Correspondent reports: Gaibandha district unit of the national committee yesterday formed a human chain on DB Road demanding implementation of their seven-point charter. Mineral resources like gas and coal should be used for national development on agriculture, food and industry sectors, not to serve interest of foreign countries, speakers said at a meeting. They demanded ascertaining extraction of gas and coal under hundred percent national ownership and cancellation of 'export oriented' Model PSC 2008. They also demanded full implementation of government's committed 6-point Fulbari agreement, cancellation of open pit coal extraction system that will cause harm to cultivable lands, water resources, food security and environment. The speakers urged the government to take necessary steps to realise proper compensation for damage of Magurchhara and Tengratilla gas field accidents. Our Khagrachhari Correspondent adds: Local unit of National Committee for Protection of Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Electricity and Ports yesterday formed a human chain and held a rally demanding cancellation of the 'anti-people' decision to sell gas and others mineral resources. At the rally held at Muktamancha area under Sadar upazila, the speakers urged the government to use the natural resources for betterment of the country and people.
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