- In this undated photo, Prof Anu Muhammad of The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, speaks at a programme in the city. Photo: STAR/File
The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports will enforce a half-day hartal in the capital on July 3 protesting the government’s signing of a production sharing contract (PSC) with an American oil company.
The government on Thursday inked the deal with ConocoPhillips for exploring oil and gas from two deep-sea blocks in the Bay of Bengal.
Prof Anu Muhammad, secretary general of the organisation, announced the programme Saturday morning at a press conference at Mukti Bhaban in the capital.
He said they along with general people will stage protests at union level across the country on the same day and demonstrate in front of deputy commissioners’ offices.
The leaders and activists of the organisation will conduct mass contacts with people of all strata in the society from June 20 to July 2 as part of their protest programme.
The programme also includes foot march at every police station area in the Dhaka city from June 21 to July 1.
Engineer Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah, convenor of the organisation; Junayed Saki, coordinator of Gono Sanghati Andolon; and columnist Syed Abul Moksud, among others, were present at the media conference.
The US oil company won two deep-sea blocks DS-08-10 and -11 at an offshore block bidding floated by Petrobangla in 2008. The PSC allows exploration of the undisputed part of the blocks and that covers an area of 5,158 square kilometres.
The blocks are located about 280 kilometres from the port city of Chittagong.
Source : The Daily Star
