Barapukuria Coalmine
Land subsidence victims give fresh ultimatum
Villagers affected by land subsidence due to underground mining at Barapukuria coal mine yesterday demanded disbursement of compensation by March 20. Otherwise, they threatened to launch a tougher agitation programme.
They gave the deadline from a human formed at Barapukuria Bazar in the morning. Jibon o Shampad Rakkha Committee, a platform of the affected villagers, organised the programme.
Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Limited (BCMCL) signed an agreement with the affected villagers in May 2009. According to the agreement, the compensation was supposed to pay within December on completion of survey. But the authorities concerned could not start payment of compensation within the timeframe.
Addressing a press conference at the venue of human chain yesterday, Ibrahim Kholil, President of Jibon o Shampad Rakkha Committee,
said though the government has recently sanctioned Tk190.53 crore compensation packages for the affected villagers, the payment is yet to start.
He demanded crop compensation, job quota for the affected villagers, rehabilitation of 318 landless people and graveyard and cremation ground in the area.
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