Asia Energy...wants to mine 15 million tonnes of coal a year for the next 30 years in Phulbari...Backed by a number of leading British banks, including Barclays, the company will make a huge amount of money if it is allowed to dig for coal there...But Asia Energy's proposals...have triggered an outcry. Last Saturday thousands of people marched through the town's streets where they were met by a force of armed police...In the ensuing melee five people, including a 14-year-old boy, died and scores more were wounded, an event that on Wednesday triggered a national strike as thousands turned out to protest against the killings...Asia Energy blames the riot on a 'rentamob' which it claims was bussed in from far away...David Lenigas, a non-executive director of the company [said]..."These people are carrying on like we've got a coal mine there. We haven't. All we've done is spend $20m on a feasibility study.' The company claims that the vast majority of the local population support its plans.