DHAKA: The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources and Power (NCPOGMRP) would stage a long march towards Phulbari on October 24 demanding quick implementation of the Phulbari agreement.

Its leaders at a meeting Monday also called upon the country’s people to join the long march. The meeting was held here marking the 4th anniversary of the signing of Phulbari agreement.
 
Blaming the government for “hatching conspiracy” to hand over country’s gas fields to multinational companies, they said stepping aside from implementing the Phulbari agreement would be tantamount to “treachery”.

The national committee had an agreement with the representatives of the then government in 2006. Prime Minister and then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina extended her support to the movement.

Now the Prime Minister would have to implement the agreement, the committee leaders demanded.

They criticized the Prime Minister’s announcement made on August 9 that PPP is needed to explore oil and gas as the country does not have enough money.

Vowing not to let the authorities extract coal through open-pit mining, the committee demanded ouster of Asia Energy from the country.

Prof Anu Mohammad spoke at the meeting, chaired by committee convenor Eng Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah.

BDST 1536 HRS, AUGUST 30, 2010