8 killed as police open fire at demonstrators in northern Bangladesh

At least eight people were killed and over 50 others wounded as paramilitary Bangladesh Rifle (BDR) and police opened fire to quell demonstrations against a foreign company's coal-mining plan at Fulbari in northern Dinajpur district of Bangladesh on Saturday.

Official sources and witnesses said the law-enforcers opened fire at about 4:30 p.m. (1030 GMT) as the demonstrators proceeded to lay siege at the office of the UK-based Asia Energy company.

Police confirmed the deaths of four people, but Abul Hossain Rubel, a member of the central committee of "Gono Sanghati Andolon (Mass Solidarity Movement)" that organized the demonstrations, claimed that the casualty figure was as high as eight.

The protesters demanded cancellation of the open-pit mining system at the Fulbari coal mine.

After the peaceful demonstration, some protesters tried to proceed towards the Asia Energy office, prompting the police and BDR to open fire, Rubel said, quoting a spot account of the incident.

Gary Lye, CEO of Asia Energy Corporation (Bangladesh) Pty Ltd in a statement said Asia Energy would like to reiterate that it has been operating lawfully in Fulbari for several years in accordance with a legally binding contract with the government of Bangladesh.

"The company is confident that it has the overwhelming support of our community at Fulbari and the adjacent sub-districts. We have achieved this by being open, helpful and supportive of many local causes," the statement said.

"Our Phulbari coal project is an open and transparent business that will bring far-reaching benefits to both the local community and the people of Bangladesh," he said.

Source: Xinhua