Dhaka: Amid intervention by police at different places, National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas, Natural Resources and Power-Port on Saturday observed its sit-in programme across Bangladesh to protest the government's move for setting up Rampal coal-fired power plant near Sundarbans and also the decision for raising gas price.

While addressing a rally in front of National Press Club during the sit-in programme, the leaders of the committee alleged that their peaceful processions and rallies were intervened and attacked by police at different locations including in Khulna and Chittagong.

The leaders said that police forcefully took away their banners from a procession in Khulna city. About 10 activists of the committee were injured in police action.

Similarly, police intercepted a rally in Chittagong. But defying the police action, the committee held the rally in Chittagong.    

Condemning the police actions, convener of the National Committee Sheikh Mohammad Shahidullah and member secretary Prof Anu Mohammad said the government has been moving ahead with Rampal plant to serve the foreign interest.

He also said the gas price was raised to benefit the businessmen involved in LPG business. The leaders said they would present an alternative mega plan on March 18 through a press conference to replace the plan of setting up Rampal power plant.

He also announced a plan to hold a grand rally at a location in the coastal area in April.

The rally was also addressed, among others, by Tipu Biswas, Bazlur Rashid Firoze, Sazzad Zahir Chandon, Mosharraf Hossain Nannu, Moshrefa Mishu and Feroze Ahmed.