Chattogram, Apr 17: Five workers of a coal-based power plant of S Alam Group were shot to death and 25 others injured in a clash between police and workers over the payment of their dues in Banshkhali Upazila of Chattogram district on Saturday. The victims were identified as Ahmed Reza, Rony Hossain, Shuvho, Mohammad Rahat and Mohammad Raihan.
Quoting locals, Azizul Islam, officer-in-charge of Banshkhali Police Station, said a tense situation had been prevailing among workers of the power plant since Friday over the payment of their dues.
On Saturday morning, union leaders sat in a meeting with the local administration to settle the issue.
At one stage, an altercation broke out around 11:45 am, triggering a chase and counter chase.
Later, police fired shots to disperse the workers, leaving four of them dead on the spot and 25 others injured.
Five of them who sustained bullet wounds were taken to Chittagong Medical College and Hospital where Raihan, hailing from Hatiya in Noakhali, died, said CMCH in-charge Shilbrato Barua.
The other injured are being treated at Banshkhali Upazila Health Complex.
Meanwhile, the agitated workers carried out vandalism and arson attacks inside the power plant.
In 2016, six people were killed in a clash with police at the same coal-based 1320 MW Power Plant, reports UNB.
