Today, the National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas-Mineral
Resources-Power and Ports has sent an open letter demanding
cancellation of the Rampal project to the Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi.
Sundarbans activists faced police blockade and were raided with hot
water gun and pepper spray from police during a march towards the
Indian High commission to deliver the letter. Around 30 people were
injured in the police raid.
A five-member delegation team from the committee, however, were
allowed to hand over the letter to the Indian high commission office
in Dhaka today.
Earlier in this morning at 11:00am around 400 or more Sundarbans
activists under the banner of the National Committee began the march
from Jatiya Press Club. The protesters were about to go to the Indian
high commission at Gulshan to hand over the open letter. Police placed
blockade at Malibagh rail crossing and threw tear gas and sprayed hot
water to disperse the Sundarbans campaigners resulted in 30 wounded on
the spot.
In reply, Anu Mohammad, the member secretary of the committee
criticized the bare police attack and called for a ‘countrywide
protest’ on 20th October.
CPB leader Ruhin Hossain Prince informed that, a central member named
Sajib of his party was seriously injured and now in a critical stage.
Anu Muhammad said that, despite widespread criticism and protest from
national, international experts and mass people, the government is
going ahead with the construction of the Rampal power plant near the
World Heritage Site.