Barapukuria Residents Demand Compensation, Issue Ultimatum Over Mining Damage

Residents of Patrapara in Dinajpur’s Barapukuria area held a press conference on Sunday to demand compensation for damages to their homes caused by underground coal mining. They issued a seven-day ultimatum and called for the intervention of the prime minister and the state minister for power, energy, and mineral resources. Md Muntasir Afsani Munna presented a written statement during the conference at Patrapara intersection near Barapukuria coal mine. The event saw participation from about 100 affected locals, including speakers who criticized Petrobangla for failing to honor a 2009 agreement. The residents also demanded immediate compensation for land acquired by the government and the suspension of a solar project until the return of local lawmaker Md Mostafizur Rahman Fizar. They alleged forced land occupation and sought the withdrawal of cases against those protesting the occupation.