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Meet demands or face blockade programme on 7 February 2015

Declaration of Phulbari Grand Rally

By Kallol Mustafa, 30 December, 2014


National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports at a rally at Nimtola in Phulbari upazila under the district yesterday warned of tough programmes if their demands were not met within January 31 of the year ahead.

Grand rally of locals in Phulbari town on 27 December. Photo credit: Kallol Mustafa

Grand rally of locals in Phulbari town on 27 December. Photo credit: Kallol Mustafa

The demands include arrest of Gary Lye, chief executive of Asia Energy Corporation of Bangladesh,  withdrawal of a case filed against the local committee members by Asia Energy,  government’s assurance to avoid open pit mining in Phulbari and implementation of the six-point agreement signed in August 2006.

The local chapter of the committee organised the rally yesterday afternoon protesting Gary Lye’s visit to Phulbari from November 24 to 26.
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Villagers from the country side heading to the rally against Asia Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Gary Lye . Photo: Kallol Mustafa

Addressing the rally, Anu Mohammad, member secretary of the central committee, highlighted the bad impact of open pit mining in Phulbari, if implemented.

The speakers urged the government to meet their demands or face blockade programme in northern districts on February 7 next year.
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Grand rally in Phulbari demanding arrest and expulsion of GCM’s CEO, Gary Lye, from Bangladesh. Photo: Kallol Mustafa

Protesters from different areas of Dinajpur district joined the rally with processions.
Read news of the grand rally in national media:
More images and footages can be accessed on request.