PLAN TO SET UP SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE
Tea garden workers continue protest
The workers urged the
government to establish an environment friendly zone in the area in stead of setting up
economic zone
UNB
Habiganj: Tea garden workers staged a demonstration at Chandpur tea garden in Chunarghat upazila yesterday demanding cancellation of the plan to set up special economic zone (SEZ), reports UNB. Witnesses said several thousands workers of 23 tea gardens, including Surma tea garden, Tejiaparea tea garden and Nayapara tea garden, gathered in the area around 10am and held a protest rally. Member secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Port Prof Anu Muhammad, Oikya NAP president Pankaj Bhattacharya and former Habiganj mayor Fozle Hasan Badsha addressed the rally. They urged the government to establish an environment friendly zone in the area in stead of setting up economic zone. Meanwhile, a group of locals, led by local Awami League and BNP leaders, organised a human chain in Deorgas area near Chandpur tea garden around 10:30am, demanding the construction of the economic zone immediately. Earlier, the government took a decision to establish a special economic zone on 511 acres of lands in tea states at Chandpur in Habiganj upazila. Workers from four tea gardens in Chunarughat upazila has been continuing their strike for about one month, demanding cancellation of the plan. Special economic zones have been planned for other areas as well in Moulvibazar, where too, tea workers are trying to move for their land rights and compensation.
