ASM Abdur Rab, president, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Khalequzzaman Bhuiyan, general sewcretary, Bangladesher Samajtanrtrik Dal (BSD) and SM Akram, chief adviser, Nagoric Oikya on Saturday expressed their solidarity with the movement to protect the sunderbands by atopping the proposed coal-fired power plant at Rampal near its fringe.They also vowed to do all they can to secure the release of Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya who had been jailed for over a year on charges of subversion but without framing a case.
The roundtable organised by the Nagorik Oikya at the National Press Club, Dhaka with its chief convener SM Akram in the chair, was also addressed by Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, founder, Gonoshasthya Kendro, Subrataa Chowdhury, Executive President Gono Forum, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, editor, GreenWatch Dhaka, Abu Bakar siddique and Shahuidullah Kaiser, conveners Dhaka city south and city north Nagorik Oikya units among others.
The speakers criticised the govermnment for pursuing the Rampal thermal power project disregarding the harmful impacts that it would have on the Sundarbans and ignoring protests raised by green activists.
They also said that Mahmudur Rahman Manna was being held in prisons without valid reasons. A political man of his stature cannot engagage in conspiracy as was alleged during his arrest, they added – Staff Reporter
