Barapukuria land subsidence victims start fresh agitation
Remaining compensation demanded
Land subsidence victims in Barapukuria staging sit-in programme at the entrance to the coal mine yesterday.Photo: STAR
The land subsidence affected villagers around Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) started a 120-hour-long sit-in programme in front of the company's main entrance at around 1:30pm yesterday, demanding disbursement of the remaining compensation. Jibon O Sampad Rakkha Committee, a platform of affected people, earlier announced the programme on May 21. According to the affected people, they so far received Tk. 112 crore out of Tk. 190 crore since the start of disbursement of the compensation on September 22, last year. They are now waiting for the rest Tk. 87 crore. "At least 40 per cent amount of the compensation and rehabilitation package money still remained unpaid", said Md. Belal Hossain, General Secretary the committee. Demanding the remaining amount, the affected people gathered in front of BCMCL entrance gate since morning yesterday holding festoons and banners. At around 1:30pm, they started the sit-in programme. Md. Ibrahim Khalil, the convener of the committee, said they will continue the programme for 120 hours. "If required, we will extend our programme to realise our demands", he added. Earlier, BCMCL officials said that they had nothing to do in this regard. Md. Jamal Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner of Dinajpur, said the authorities would continue the disbursement of package money. However, it is a lengthy process, he added.
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