Locals have staged a demonstration to shut down a Hydrogen Peroxide manufacturing plant in Chittagong’s Hathazari upazila.
The protesters demanded that the factory of Al-Razi Chemical Complex in Thandachhari area of South Pahartali be removed from the highly-populated area, reports Bangla Tribune.
As many as 200-300 locals protested against the closure of the factory on Monday. They staged a demonstration in front of the factory and chanted slogans demanding its closure.
In the face of the protests, the factory gates were closed in the evening and the transportation of chemicals from there was stopped.
The deadly fire at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda where 49 people lost their lives was reportedly caused by the loud explosion in a container of Hydrogen Peroxide.
According to the protesters, a container of Hydrogen Peroxide reportedly exploded at the BM Container Depot in Sitakunda that claimed 49 lives and injured over 450 people.
Since the chemical is produced in Hathazari, it can cause big accidents there as well, the protesters said.
Chittagong North District Awami League member Manjurul Alam, who led the protesters, said that protests and demonstrations have been going on in front of the factory since noon.
Mobin Hossain Khan, manager of the factory, said that the loading and unloading works of goods were disrupted due to the protest. However, the production work was continuing inside.
Zafar Alam Chowdhury, a member of Chittagong City Awami League and former councilor of Dakshin Pahartali ward, said they would continue the agitation demanding removal of the factory from the area.
Gazi Shafiul Azam, councilor of Ward no 1 of Chittagong City Corporation also demanded removal of the factory from the densely populated area.