Clash at Banshkhali power plant: 3,562 sued in 2 cases

A total of 3,562 people were sued in two cases filed in connection with yesterday's clash between police and workers of coal-based SS Power I Plant in Chattogram's Banshkhali upazila, which left five workers dead.

Police filed one of the cases accusing 2,500 unidentified persons on charge of attacking law enforcers while the power plant authorities have filed the other case accusing 22 named and 1,040 unnamed persons for setting vehicles on fire during the incident, Shafiul Kabir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Banshkhali Police Station, told The Daily Star.

Sub-inspector of Banshkhali Police Station Rashed and Chief Coordinator of the plant Faruk Ahmed filed the cases respectively, the OC said.

No one was arrested in connection with the cases.

Local sources at Banshkhali's Gandamara said workers -- fearing harassment and further violence -- were seen leaving the area since last evening.

Five workers of the under-construction coal-fired power plant were killed and at least 21 were injured during the clash with police.

Workers of the power plant, a joint venture involving S Alam Group, alleged that the law enforcers opened fire on their peaceful demonstration demanding arrears and pay hikes. They said they were supposed to get arrears of one-three months.