Barapukuria Coal Mine
Land subsidence victims lock in factional fight, 20 hurt
At least 20 people including two policemen were injured as police went into action to stop violent clashes between two groups of land subsidence affected villagers around Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) yesterday.
Earlier on Friday night, clashes between the two groups left some 25 people wounded, locals said.
The supporters of the two factions also set fire to different set-ups including two warehouses owned by Joynal Abedin and Redwan at Patigram and Kalupara on Friday night and Saturday morning, witnesses said.
As a sequel to Friday clashes, the two factions equipped with local arms took position at different places around Barapukuria and engaged in chase and counter chase from 10:00am to 12:30pm.
A large number of law enforcers including riot police under two magistrates were called in to tackle the situation.
Ibrahim Khalil, convener of Jibon O Shampad Rakkha Committee, said the affected villagers want their compensation for the damage made due to activities of BCMCL. The government sanctioned Tk 191 crore for the affected people through a meeting at ECNEC, and villagers are ready to get their compensation although it is not satisfactory for them, he said. According to the government compensation package, the affected villagers would receive Tk 20 lakh for per acre of arable land, 25 lakh for commercial land and Tk 2 lakh for landless people of the area.
But, a group opposed the decision, Khalil added.
In August last year, Md Mokhlesur Rahman formed Bhumi O Shampad Rakkha Committee comprising the breakaway faction of Jibon O Shampad Rakkha Committee. They demanded higher amounts as compensation for the damage.
Consequently, the residents of affected villages around Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) got divided into two groups over whether or not to accept the compensation package announced by the government.
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