Professor Anu Muhammad, member secretary of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, made the statement at a press conference in Mukti Bhaban, yesterday.
He sincerely hoped that the government will not obstruct the rally but if they do, he threatened that the protesters that are coming from seven districts of the country will sit in and protest where ever they are obstructed.
“March Towards Dhaka” will gather protesters from Rampal, Panchagarh, Netrokona, Patuakhali, Sunamganj, Cox's Bazar and Kansat.
They will congregate into a grand rally at the Central Shahid Minar on November 26 to demand the cancellation of the Rampal power plant along with a seven-point demand to the government.
Anu, deeply concerned about the human displacement the power plant will create, said: “About 3.5 million people will be displaced if this goes ahead.”
While the government has insisted that the power plant will go ahead with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina specifically addressing the media on the issue on August 27, saying: “Like developed countries, we are focusing on coal-fired plant since it’s rather inexpensive.”
She also addressed protesters' environmental concerns about the world's largest mangrove forest: “I don’t see any reason why these people are against the project since the best safety and environmental measures have been taken so that the largest mangrove forest (the Sundarbans) remains intact.”
Anu however does not believe these statements; at the press conference he said: “The government needs to stop manufacturing propaganda in favour of the plant. They need to stop the attacks, threats and torture of those who are protesting.”
He suggested that the problems posed by Rampal, Rooppur, Banshakhali power plant, can be fixed by looking at their National Committee's seven-point demand.
It also had sustainable alternatives to the power crisis, he added.
It is however unclear if the government will grant them permission to hold the rally at Shahid Minar. Anu said they have already sought permission from the authorities concerned.
