Plan to set up economic zone

Tea workers continue protest in Habiganj

Tea workers of four tea estates in Habiganj district demonstrated yesterday against the move to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) by the government at Chunarughat upazila.
The demonstration that took place from 9 am to 11am was the part of the programme that has been continuing since December 21.
The tea workers have also been continuing their indefinite 2-hour work abstention programme from 9 am to 11am everyday in the four tea estates since December 21. The tea estates -Chandpur Tea Estate, Begum Khan Tea Estate, Jual Bhanga Tea Estate and Ramgonga Tea Estate -are located at Chunarughat Upazila of Habiganj district.
The protesters chanted `Amar Mati, Amar Ma, Kere Nite Debo Na.'  Swapon Shawtal, president of Bangladesh Adibashi Forum, Habiganj Unit, said the special economic zone (SEZ), if set up by the government at the proposed site, about 15,000 people, 1,975 workers of the tea estates, will be affected. Kanchan Patra, a tea workers’ leader of Chandpur Tea Estate, said: “Our pretest will  continue until we hear any satisfactory announcement from the authorities to stop to the move.”
Dewan Minhaz Gazi, a cultural personality of Habiganj said the sewerage of the SEZ in tea estate area will badly pollute the environment and harm the nature, biodiversity and climate, he said adding;
‘The government must pay attention to the people who are exploited in this society.’ Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BEZA, has already visited the  proposed area as well as Chandpur Tea Estate and exchanged views with local people over the feasibility of the project. The proposed Habiganj Economic Zone will be set up on 511 acres of land in Chunarughat. BEZA official sources said the government is planning to set up the special economic zone (SEZ)  aiming to attract both local and foreign investments,
boost exports and create employment of thousands of people.

 

Plan to set up economic zone

Tea workers continue protest in Habiganj

Tea workers of four tea estates in Habiganj district demonstrated yesterday against the move to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) by the government at Chunarughat upazila. The demonstration that took place from 9 am to 11am was the part of the programme that has been continuing since December 21. The tea workers have also been continuing their indefinite 2-hour work abstention programme from 9 am to 11am everyday in the four tea estates since December 21. The tea estates -Chandpur Tea Estate, Begum Khan Tea Estate, Jual Bhanga Tea Estate and Ramgonga Tea Estate -are located at Chunarughat Upazila of Habiganj district. The protesters chanted `Amar Mati, Amar Ma, Kere Nite Debo Na. Swapon Shawtal, president of Bangladesh Adibashi Forum, Habiganj Unit, said the special economic zone (SEZ), if set up by the government at the proposed site, about 15,000 people, 1,975 workers of the tea estates, will be affected. Kanchan Patra, a tea workers leader of Chandpur Tea Estate, said: Our pretest will continue until we hear any satisfactory announcement from the authorities to stop to the move. Dewan Minhaz Gazi, a cultural personality of Habiganj said the sewerage of the SEZ in tea estate area will badly pollute the environment and harm the nature, biodiversity and climate, he said adding; The government must pay attention to the people who are exploited in this society. Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BEZA, has already visited the proposed area as well as Chandpur Tea Estate and exchanged views with local people over the feasibility of the project. The proposed Habiganj Economic Zone will be set up on 511 acres of land in Chunarughat. BEZA official sources said the government is planning to set up the special economic zone (SEZ) aiming to attract both local and foreign investments, boost exports and create employment of thousands of people.