Banshkhali clash: Probe committees formed, compensations announced 

The district administration and the police have formed two separate probe bodies to investigate the clash at the Gandamara coal-fired power plant in Chattogram's Banshkhali upazila that left five workers dead.

Financial assistance has also been announced for the families of the deceased and those who have been injured in the incident.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the district administration on Saturday afternoon.

Sumoni Akhter, additional district magistrate of Chattogram, confirmed the news to The Business Standard.

"A four-member investigation committee led by an additional district magistrate has been formed to look into the Banshkhali incident. The committee has been asked to submit the report within seven days," Akhter said.

"Besides, at a district administration meeting, it was announced to provide Tk3 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Tk50,000 to the injured," she added.

Meanwhile, the police have formed a separate investigation committee following the clash.

Confirming the matter, Anowar Hossain, deputy inspector general (DIG) of the Chattogram Range, said, "Police have formed a three-member investigation committee that has been instructed to submit a report within seven days.

Meanwhile, the workers and the police blamed each other for the clash.

The workers claimed that since the beginning of Ramadan, they have been expressing displeasure about no break during prayers and iftar.

"We have been asking for prayer and iftar breaks during Ramadan and on Friday. We arranged a protest. When we started our protest again this (Saturday) morning and did not join work, the police fired shots at us," said Md Towhid, a worker at the plant. 

However, talking about the incident to The Business Standard, Azizul Islam, inspector (investigation) at Banshkhali police station, said the workers were staging a protest with several demands, including raising wages, reducing work hours, and alleged discrimination.

"On information from the plant authorities, police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. When the demonstrators became violent, police opened fire." he added.