Dhaka: The National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas, Power-Port and Natural Resources on Friday urged the government to look for a new site for the Banshkhali coal-fired power project.

‘Since the local people are not supporting the project, the government should ask the sponsor to find an alternative location for the power plant,’ said committee leader Rahmatullah.

Rahmatullah, also former director general of Power Cell, was addressing a protest rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club organised by the city unit of the National Committee with its leader Khalequzzaman Lipon in the chair. Jahangir Alam Fazlu also spoke on the occasion.

Speakers protested the police firing on a demonstration of locals at Gandamara of Banshkhali on 4 April that killed four people and injured many.

Protesting the case filed against the innocent locals over the incident, the committee leaders said the policemen responsible for the firing should be brought to justice.

They said once the Banshkhali power plant project is implemented, many people will lose their livelihood and land.

‘That's why we ask the government to think about an alternative location for the power plant which will not affect the livelihood of the locals,’ said Fazlu.

After the rally, the National Committee activists brought out a procession that paraded different roads.

Meanwhile, the National Committee leaders informed that committee member secretary Anu Mohammad along with other leaders went to Banhskhali to express sympathy to the families of the police firing victims.

The leaders also discussed the latest situations with locals about their protest against the 1320 MW Banhskhali coal-fired power plant which local business firm S Alam Group along with Chinese partners is implementing.