Meantime, Niko Resources has given a compensation of about Tk 1.19 crore in 345 cheques, said a Press Information Department (PID) news release yesterday.

Locals continued agitation against Niko's move to drill a relief well to seal the main well. The locals fear the move may cause another disaster.

Four physicians from the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital have set up a camp at Tengratila to treat the ailments caused by the blowout.

Another team of three physicians headed by the civil surgeon of Sunamganj also launched a camp near the gas field. The health department will continue its medical support until further orders, an official said.

A number of locals allege they are suffering from different kinds of reactions including respiratory and hearing problems for the last few days. Most of the victims are children and aged people.

Thousands of people yesterday visited the site to have a look at the flames of the inferno, which was spewing out sand, mud and stone chips.

Mild quakes are jolting the areas due to continued spewing of sand and stones with frightening sound, locals said.

Drinking water has been scarce and locals are collecting freshwater from nearby villages. A few volunteers have supplied bottled waters to the thirsty people in the last three days.

The Haor Unnayan Parishad, a regional forum, yesterday took out a procession in the city and held a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar to protest against the disaster.

Its leaders asked the government to cancel the agreement with the Canadian company Niko and realise compensation from it.

A 101-member Tengratila Compensation Realisation Committee has been formed with freedom fighter Azim Uddin Master as its convenor and Nurul Amin and Ruhul Amin as joint convenors.

The committee at the rally demanded inclusion of those dropped from the list of compensation recipients. It also demanded realisation of compensation for the two blowouts caused due to inefficiency and negligence of Niko.

The committee has decided to make a fresh list of the affected people.

COMPENSATION
Niko has given Tk 1,19,47,000 in 345 cheques as compensation for the loss of the blowout.

The deputy commissioner of Sunamganj today hands over Tk 11,88,624 to 62 organisations damaged in the fire at the Doarbazar Upazila Nirbahi Officer's (UNO) office at 10:00am, the PID said.

The other 283 cheques of Tk 107,58,376 will be given to the affected families and businessmen on July 4 at the same UNO office, it added.