4 killed in police firing over coal power plant

At least four people have been killed in a clash between police and two groups of villagers over constructing a coal-based power plant in Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong. The victims are Jaker Hossain, Zakir, Mortuza and Anwar, said Chittagong Superintendent of Police Hafiz Akhtar. Banshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammed Samsuzzaman said the locals swooped on police and the magistrate during the melee between two groups of villagers at the Gondamara union on Monday afternoon. “At one stage of the clash, police opened fire on the unruly people to save lives and properties.” Some 11 police personnel including the officer-in-charge of Banskhali police station were also injured in the villagers’ attack. Chittagong District Police’s Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) Mohammed Abdul Awal told the Dhaka Tribune that the local authority imposed section 144 at the Gondamara union area as two local groups called rallies at the same place and same time over a coal-based power plant to be set up in the area. “Around 2,500-3,000 villagers gathered at the place at around 2:30pm defying section 144 and attacked police with lethal weapons and firearms and cordoned the law enforcers off,” he said. “The law enforcers tried to disperse the two groups. At one stage police were forced to open fire to save their lives.” Awal said at least six police were hit by bullets and were sent to the upazila health complex for treatment. “Villagers swooped on the policemen prompting them to fire to bring the situation under control. More than 10 policemen were injured,” ASP Habibur Rahman said. The situation was under control but tension was mounting in the area following the three-hour long clash, Rahman added. Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) police outpost Sub-Inspector (SI) Jahirul Islam said two bullet-hit villagers - Mujibur Rahman, 28, Ansar Uddin, 30 - were admitted to the hospital around 7:30pm. A number of local sources claimed at least five people were reportedly killed when police opened fire. Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Mesbah Uddin said a committee, led by Additional District Magistrate Mamun-ur-Rashid, has been formed to investigate the incident and submit a report within one week. Local sources said there was a long standing feud between the two groups of villagers over favouring and opposing a coal-based power plant to be set up by S Alam Group at the coastal area of Gandamara union. The two groups called rallies yesterday at the same venue and time. Local authorities imposed section 144. S Alam Group and SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Corporation of China inked an agreement recently to set up 1,320 megawatt coal-fired power plant at Banshkhali upazila.