‘Anti-Rampal movement to continue’

“We still believe that we are living in a democratic state. If it was a dictatorship, we would discard the movement. We will continue our movement based on this belief,” said Sultana, also former caretaker government adviser. She came up with the reaction on Tuesday at a press briefing at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in the capital following PM’s press conference on Rampal power plant. On August 27, the prime minister blasted groups and individuals opposing the power plant near Sundarbans terming their movement negative, baseless and misleading. Showing protest to the prime minister's speech on Rampal issue, she claimed that the government propaganda about Rampal power plant is full of misleading and backdated information. Regarding the BNP’s support to the movement, she said they had no connection with the party regarding the movement. “Every government has tried to show that any criticism of their activities is a conspiracy and politically motivated,” she said. But the successful movements in Kansat and Phulbari had proved that such types of blames are false, she added. “We are certain that the victory of the movement to save the Sundarbans will prove that unacceptable development cannot be imposed by force and it will never be successful,” said Sultana. Prof MM Akash of Dhaka University and Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers’ Association (BELA) Chief Executive Syeda Rizwana Hasan also spoke at the programme. The speakers demanded solar power station on the acquired land in Rampal instead of coal-based power plant.