Barapukuria land subsidence victims continue fast-unto-death strike

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DINAJPUR, Mar 11 (UNB): The fast-unto-death strike that began Wednesday by hundreds of people affected by land subsidence for Barapukuria coal-mining, demanding compensation and their permanent rehabilitation entered its second day Thursday.
Local sources said about 5,000 inhabitants of several affected villages under the banner of 'Committee to Save Life and Property' began their strike in front of the main gate of the Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Ltd (BCMCL) Wednesday.
Meanwhile, some 25 strikers fell sick Thursday and they were given first aid.
Affected landowners said about 2,600 families of the area had been living under the risk of land collapse 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 committee of the affected people.
The Committee 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.