Police fired on workers in Banshkhali for no reason: Zafrullah

Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, founder and trustee of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, said the police fired on workers at the coal power plant in Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram for no reason.

He made the remarks speaking to the media after talking to officials of the coal power plant at Gandamara Union in Banshkhali, police administration, and local residents on Sunday.

Zafrullah said, "During the firing by the police on workers at the power plant, there were 'helmet bahini' with the police. It's the saddest incident  since independence."  

The government has silenced the police. Police can never fire without a magistrate's order. There should be a judicial inquiry into the incident, he said.

Zafrulla demanded Tk50 lakh compensation for the family of each deceased in the police firing.

"We want adequate compensation for those who have suffered. The families deceased workers will have to be paid a minimum compensation of Tk50 lakh per family," he said.

Earlier, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and his entourage went to the SS power plant in Gandamara union but officials at the power plant prevented them from entering the project area. Later, they talked to Faruk Ahmed, chief coordinator of the SS Power Plant, Mohammad Safiul Kabir, officer in charge of Banshkhali Police Station, and other officials at the main gate of the power plant.

The visitors then provided food aid to more than 200 families in Gandamara, Chambal, Banglabazar, and Shilkup.

Lastly, Dr Zafrullah visited the home of Mahmud Raza who was killed in Saturday's clash and spoke to his family members.

Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, secretary general of Bhasani Anusari Parishad, Jonaid Saki, chief coordinator of Gana Sanghati Andolan, freedom fighters Naeem Jahangir and Istiaq Aziz, advocate Hasnat Qayyum and others, accompanied him at the time.