Hundreds of local Santals and Bangalees of Gaibandha today demonstrated in the district against the proposed Rangpur Export Processing Zone (EPZ) establishment in Sahebganj-Bagdafarm area under Gobindaganj upazila.

Sahebganj-Bagdafarm Bhumi Uddhar Sangram Committee organised the demonstration held at Katarmor beside the Dinajpur-Gobindaganj regional highway.

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Santal leaders from adjacent districts including Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Naogaon and members of civil society from Dhaka were present at the rally — from 11am to 5pm, reports our Bogura correspondent.

Speaking in the programme, Advocate Shirajul Islam Babu, a leader of the Adibashi-Bangalee Parishad, said Bagdafarm is a cropland area where farmers can grow crops three times a year.

“Without having a feasibility study and not talking to locals, including 1,200 Santal families, the BEPZA chairman recently declared to establish an EPZ in the farm area. It is not acceptable to us,” said Shirajul, also secretary of Gaibandha District Bar Association.

Philimone Baske, president of Sahebganj-Bagdafarm Bhumi Uddhar Sangram Committee, said during visit, the executive chairman of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) declared that the proposed EZP will create employment opportunities for more than two lakh people.

He claimed that actually locals will not get job opportunities as foreign businesses will set industries here and recruit manpower.

If the Bepza authority does not stop their activities, we will go for tougher programmes, added Philimone Baske.



Gaibandha Santals, Bangalees protest proposed Rangpur EPZ at Bagdafarm
Source: Trend Viral Philippines