Coal from Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited was looted with the support of the government, said Prof Anu Muhammad, member secretary of National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports.
“Looting of coal from Barapukuria coal mine is another example of large-scale corruption in the country. The government failed to protect the country's resources,” he said.
The noted economist was speaking as the chief guest at a rally held at Nimtolamor in Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur recently, marking “Phulbari Day”.
On August 26, 2006, people of Phulbari and its surrounding upazilas brought out a procession, protesting the proposed open-pit Phulbari coal mining project. Law enforcers opened fire on the protesters, killing at least three people and injuring more than 200.