The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dinajpur

The fast-unto-death strike that began on Wednesday by hundreds of people affected by land subsidence for Barapukuria coal-mining demanding compensation and their permanent rehabilitation entered its third day on Friday. Local sources said that about 5,000 inhabitants of several affected villages under the banner of Commitee to Save Life and Property began their strike in front of the main gate of the Barapukuria Coal

Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) on Wednesday noon.

Meanwhile, some 25 strikers fell sick today and they were given first aid. Affected landowners said that about 2,600 families of the area have been living under the risk of landslide since production started at the coalmine in 2004. "About three-fourths of 11 villages in the area have developed cracks and some 100 acres of land have sunk since then," said the commitee of the affected people.

The Commitee to Save Life and Property had earlier given an ultimatum to the state-owned Petrobangla to meet their demands by February 20. Petrobangla Chairman Dr Hossain Mansur had also two meetings with the affected villagers on February 19. However, the meetings ended fruitlessly as the Petrobangla Chairman sought three and a half months time to solve their problems.

Ibrahim Khalil, convener of the Commitee to Save Life and Property, said they would continue their fast-unto-death strike until their demands are met Additional police have been deployed in and around the BCMCL to fend off any untoward incident