Anu ended the rally around 4:30pm by announcing a 7-point programme including a half day hartal on January 26, 2017.
A mass rally of citizens’ platform National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources, Power and Ports took place on the Central Shaheed Minar premises demanding cancellation of the 1,320MW coal-fired power plant near the Sundarbans in Rampal.
People from all walks of life started joining the event from Saturday morning which kicked off around 3pm. Around 1,000 people joined the programme.
Several cultural organisations including Udichi Shilpi Goshthi have staged songs about the world’s biggest mangrove forest.
The rally started with a minute of silence, and then an inauguration speech was given by National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports Member Secretary Prof Anu Mohammad. It was presided over by Engineer Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah.
“We want the country to be developed, we also want electricity but not by endangering the country,” said veteran journalist and civil society member Syed Abul Maksud.
He added: “Why are they making the power plant here and not elsewhere? If we had democracy in Bangladesh, the government would make the power plant elsewhere.”
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Mujahidul Islam Selim, BASAD General Secretary Khalequzzaman, Ganashanhati Andolon Convener Zonayed Saki and many other members of political and non-political organisations were also present during the programme.
Zonayed Saki said: “The government says they are going to use advanced technology for the project. No advanced technology causes coal pollution. Moreover, the Rampal project manager has said no advanced technology is being used in the project.”
Biplobi Workers’ Party General Secretary Saiful Haque said: “If the ministers of the government did not have any fear for their jobs, almost half of them would protest against the coal-fired power plant. The government is going against the public’s opinion and carrying out this project.”
By challenging the prime minister, CPB President Mujahidul said: “We are not against the creation of a power plant. We just want to protect the Sundarbans. The power plant should not be made in Rampal.
They say this project would not harm the Sundarbans, but I can give evidence that it will. If the prime minister wants, we can arrange for a debate at Shaheed Minar or at any television channel. Rampal power plant should be closed.”
Addressing the project’s investors, Mujahidul added: “If the left party comes in power, we will close the power plant.”
Anu ended the rally around 4:30pm by announcing a 7-point programme including a half day hartal on January 26, 2017.
Later, a procession from Shaheed Minar went toward Press Club.