The meeting, largely attended by local people, also put forward a nine-point demand including setting up of gas-based power plant and a fertilizer factory in Nabiganj, construction of a pucca road from Sherpur to Inatganj via Bibiyana and employment of local people in the gas field and other related establishments.

A tough agitation will be launched if the demands are not met, speakers from all parties said at the meeting, held at Swastipur in Dighalbak union.

The rally was organised by Bibiyana Dabi Dawa Bastobayon Parishad, a recently formed all-party forum to realise the demands.

It was presided over by its president Md Saad Uddin.

Awami League Presidium member and former minister Dewan Farid Gazi MP addressed the rally as chief guest.

It was also addressed by, among others, ex- MP Abdul Mosobbir, Jatiya Party central Joint Secretary and ex-MP Khalilur Rahman Chowdhury, Habiganj district AL President Dr Mushfique Hossain Chowdhury, Habiganj BNP ex-president Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury Farsu, district Bar Association President and BNP Vice-President Khaliquzzaman Chowdhury, AL acting general secretary Abul Fazal and organising secretary Alamgir Chowdhury.

Parishad laeaders Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, Azizur Rahman, Shahjahan Siraj, Mujibur Rahman Kajol, Azizul Haque Shibli, Mujibur Rahman, Moulana Nazmul Islam, Md. Alamgir, freedom fisghter MA Khalique, Hafij

Nazrul Islam, Sheful Devnath and Shamsul Islam and Union parishad members Nurul Islam and Farid Mian also spoke at the rally. Organising secretary of the Parishad Sujat Miah conducted the meeting.

Dewan Farid Gazi said, the demands are genuine and the government must fulfil those.

"Otherwise we will not allow gas supply to other areas from Bibiana", he said and urged the people to remain united to realise those.

Former lawmaker Abdul Mosobbir said, "We will not allow gas export if we remain deprived".

Ex-MP Khalilur Rahman Chowdhury said, every house and commercial establishment in Nabiganj and surrounding areas must get gas. "We will extend all cooperation to US company Unocal if our 9-point demand is met".

District AL president Dr Mushfique Hossain Chowdhury called upon the people to remain alert so that no one can betray and foil the movement to benefit from it.

BNP leader Shafiqur Rahman Farsu said his party leaders will remain with the people in realising the demands.