Authorities have assured to meet the protesters' logical demands after five workers were killed in a clash with police at an under-construction coal-power plant of S Alam Group in Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong on Saturday.
Besides, Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Mominur Rahman said the families of the deceased workers would be provided an assistance of Tk300,000 and the injured with Tk50,000, reports Bangla Tribune.
“The aid money will soon be handed over to the families of the victims soon. We have talked to the power plant authorities. They have promised to meet the logical demands of the workers,” he added.
The decisions were taken in an emergency meeting on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner has formed a four-member committee headed by an additional district magistrate to investigate the incident.
The committee has one representative from the police, one from the factory department, and one from the power department.
“The committee has been directed to submit its report within seven days,” said the deputy commissioner.
Chittagong Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Anwar Hossain said that a three-member committee headed by Additional Chittagong Range DIG (Operations and Crime) Zakir Hossain Khan has also been formed to investigate the Banshkhali incident.
Chittagong Range Office Superintendent of Police (SP) Nesar Uddin and Chittagong District Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kabir Hossain have been made members of the committee. They will investigate the matter and submit a report within seven days, he added.
Also read - 5 die in police firing at Banshkhali coal plant
On Saturday morning, power plant workers clashed with police when they started protesting, putting forth their 10-point demand. The workers blamed the overzealous position of the police for the clash.
Five workers were killed in police firing in the clash. At least 25 others were injured including three policemen.
The deceased were identified as Mahmud Hasan Rahat, 22, son of Farooq Ahmed from Kishoreganj, Md Roni Hossain, 23, son of Aliullah from Chuadanga, Md Raihan, 19, son of Abdul Matin from Noakhali, Md Shuvo, 22, son of Md Nazrul of Chandpur and Mahmud Reza, 19, son of Abu Siddiqui from East Baraghona, Banshkhali.
Meanwhile, Aminul Islam, 25, Md Amir, 24, Md Didar, 21, Md Billal, 26, Md Azad, 18, Md Kamrul, 26, Shimul, 28, Shakil, 23, Morad, 25, Mizan, 18, Rahat, 28, Habibullah, 18, Hasan, 40, Avi, 20, Md Yasir, 24, Ahmad Kabir, 26, and Asaduzzaman were found among the injured undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College and Hospital.
Md Yasir, Ahmad Kabir, and Asaduzzaman are members of the police, working under Gondamara police outpost.
Subrata Kumar Bhowmik, executive director of S Alam Group, was contacted after the incident but he declined to comment. He advised contacting chief financial officer (CFO) of the power plant, Ebadat Hossain, for information on the matter.
However, despite several attempts Ebadat Hossain could not be contacted over the phone.