"We hope the government of Bangladesh will encourage and protect foreign investment, and it is, of course, in the interest of Bangladesh," a spokesman for the mission told the news agency.

The spokesman, William Arnall-Culliford, made the observation when asked to comment on the reported government decision asking the UK-based company Asia Energy to fold from the coal-mining project at Phulbari in Dinajpur as a measure to calm violent protests.

In reply to a question, he, however, said, "We recognise peaceful demonstration and democratic rights of the people and we would expect the government of Bangladesh to handle the situation with respect to human rights and the rule of law."

Seven people were reported killed and around two hundred others wounded in police-BDR firing and clubbing to break up throngs of demonstrators who tried to lay siege to the Asia Energy project office on August 26 protesting against open-pit coal-mining plan.

TRAVEL ADVICE
Britain has advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Phulbari in northern Bangladesh.

"We advise against all but essential travel to Phulbari, Dinajpur. Violent demonstrations on August 26 in Phulbari have resulted in at least five deaths plus many injuries," says a travel advice issued by Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London on Thursday.