BNP alleges Rampal power plant being built for neighbouring country’s interest

Dhaka, July 29 : The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Government is constructing the Rampal coal-fired power plant near Sundarbans for the interest of a neighbouring country, despite knowing that it will harm the country's environment.

BNP's senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed made the allegation at a press conference at the party chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office in Dhaka.

Referring to police actions in foiling yesterday's protest march against the power plant, Rizvi said the incident proves the government is acting in the interest of a neighbouring country.

He, however, did not mention which country he was hinting to but, it was clear that it was meant for India.

The police had yesterday fired teargas on protesters who headed towards the Prime Minister's Office, demanding cancellation of the proposed power plant project near the Sundarbans.

India's state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) has received the contract to build the much-debated 1,320-megawatt coal power plant in Rampal close to the Sundarbans in Bangladesh.

Source: ANI