ZCZC
BSS-36
KILLING-POLICE
5 killed in police-worker clash at private coal power plant in Ctg
CHATTOGRAM, April 17, 2021 (BSS) – Five workers were killed in a clash between police and labourers at a under construction coal based power plant at Gandamara Union under Banshkhali upazila of the district this morning.
The clash erupted between police and workers ensued when the labourers continued their protest demanding their due salaries and allowances.
The workers claimed that at least 17 of their fellows were shot and 35 others were injured in the incident. The death toll could rise further.
The dead workers were identified as Rahat, 24, Ahmed Reza, 18, Roni Hossain, 22, Shuvo, 24 and Raihan , 25.
The bodies of four deceased are at the Banskhali Upazila Health Complex and another at the Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Three members of the Gandamara police outpost were also injured. They are Yasir, 24, Abdul Kabir, 26, and Asaduzzaman, 23.
Anwar Hossain, DIG of Chattogram Range, confirmed the information to the journalists.
S Alam Group, a leading industrial company in the country, and a Chinese company are jointly constructing a 1320 MW coal-based thermal power plant at Baraghona in Gandamara Union under Banshkhali Upazila. However, no statement from the S Alam group authority was available till filing of the report.
Azizul Islam, officer in Charge (Investigation) of Banshkhali thana, said that the agitated workers set fire inside the power plant.
Upazila health officer Dr Md. Shafiur Rahman Majumder said that the bodies of the four victims were brought to the Upazila Health Complex. The injured are being treated.
ASI Shilbrat Barua of CMCH police outpost said that seven people were brought to the hospital from Banshkhali in critical condition and the attending doctors declared one of them dead after admission.
The condition of the other injured is critical, he added.
Earlier, six people were killed in a clash with police at the same power plant in 2016.
BSS/MAM/KS/GA/1713 hrs