Fresh 3-day agitation begins today

The programme includes, demonstration and rally in Tengratila this afternoon, day-long token hunger strike from 8 am tomorrow and handing over memorandum to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer on Monday, leaders of Tengratila Dabi Aday Sangram Parisahd said yesterday.

A fresh agitation programme would be announced on Monday, they added.

"We have no alternative to launching tough agitation as Canadian company Niko is silent about compensation payment for damage to croplands, water bodies and the greenery in the area, caused by blowout twice while drilling", a leader said seeking anonymity. On July 13, the Sangram Parishad, after a four-hour sit-in in front of the gas field office, handed over a memorandum to Niko officials, giving a July 22 deadline for an announcement on payment of compensation.

Their 6-point demand includes, payment of Tk 84 crore in compensation for environmental loss, propercompensation to 611 families affected by the blow outs, employment for locals in the gas field, establishment of a gas-based 50 MW power plant in the area,