Barapukuria Land Subsidence Damages
Victims allege dillydallying, bribery by officials
Victims of land subsidence around Barapukuria coalmine in Dinajpur hold a human chain near the mine yesterday protesting alleged irregularities in payment of compensation.Photo: STAR
Victims of land subsidence around Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) yesterday formed a human chain protesting alleged harassment during payment of compensation package. They also demanded speedy disbursement of their compensation money. A three-kilometre-long human chain at Barapukuria Bazaar was organised by Jibon of Shampad Rakkha Committee, a body of affected people of the coalmine area. Earlier, a large number of affected people of different villages including women and children gathered at Barapukuria Bazaar with banners and festoons. Executive Committee on National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved Tk190.51crore for compensation in November last year which was deposited with Janata Bank branch in the district on April 5 this year, officials said. The compensation payment was inaugurated by a state minister on September 22 this year on completion of the land and other survey, they said. At the human chain, the affected people claimed that since September 22, the authorities distributed only Tk33 crore among 16 per cent of the affected people. They also brought charges of bribery and irregularities against the officials and staffs at Dinajpur deputy commissioner office while handling the compensation disbursement package. Rois Uddin of Badyanathpur village alleged that he was supposed to get Tk7.72 lakh for his 32.5 decimals land but he received Tk6.40 lakh at the time of payment. Md Mozammel Hossain Hitler of Patrapara village alleged that he got a cheque for Tk15.5 lakh on September 22 this year but he could not cash it as he refused to pay bribe. "They surveyed the affected land five times and we supplied all the required documents, still they are harassing us just for bribe," he added. However, the deputy commissioner brushed aside the bribery and harassment charges against his officials saying everything were being done as per official policy. About the delay, DC Jamal Uddin Ahmed admitted that his office received 437 complaints. "But we hope that the disbursement would be completed by December this year," he added.
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