POWER PLANTCops foil green groups' Bagerhat demo

Bagerhat, July 9 (bdnews24.com) ? Police have foiled the demonstration of green groups at Rampal, eight kilometres away the Sundarbans, opposition the government plan to set up a coal-fired power plant in the area.

Two protestors -- Hemayetul Islam, 60, and Parvez Hossain, 40, -- were also picked up by police around 10am on Saturday as they were gathering to take out a citizens' rally and a human chain.

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa), Save the Sundarbans, Centre for Human Rights Movement (CHRM), Sundarbans Tourists Club and Rampal Krishijami Rakkha Sangram Parishad took part in the programme at Foila Bazar of the upazila.

The demonstrators alleged that a police team, led by officer in charge of Rampal Police Station Shahidul Islam, charged batons and dispersed them twice, first at Foila Bazar and then near Bhotte Bridge.

Later, representatives of the organisations held a press conference at Khulna Press Club around 12pm, where CHRM secretary-general Mujahidul Islam read out a written statement.

Shahidul later told bdnews24.com that the protestors were intercepted fearing that they could cause law and order problem in the area through their violent programmes "against the government's development activities".

"Two people were detained, but were released later," he added.

The 1300 megawatt plant, a joint venture project with an Indian government-run power company NPTC, is planned to be set up at Satmari Katakhali of the upazila by 2015.

NTPC recently submitted its draft feasibility report on the project.

A High Court bench on March 1 asked the government why the construction of the plant should not be declared illegal.

On October 10 last year, another bench ruled against the government plan to set up another 1300MW plant at Anwara in Chittagong.

The government plans to acquire 1,834 acres of arable land beside the Pashur River for the Bagerhat plant.

bdnews24.com/corr/pks/sam/nir/1845h

View the original article here