Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) has demanded fair and neutral investigation into the clash over constructing a coal-based power plant in Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong that claimed four lives.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the organisation also demanded cancellation of the power plant project.
At the same time, BELA demanded that the government should take action against the officials of law enforcement agencies those are responsible for the incident. It also demanded withdrawal of the cases filed against the villagers in connection with the incident.
The organisation hoped that the government would refrain from undertaking such projects that are destructive to the environment, lives and livelihood.
BELA thinks that it will be possible to ensure public interest and sustainable development if the government invests in the production of cheaper renewable energy instead of costly coal-based power.
It also stated that the spontaneous protest of April 4 proved that the coal-based power plant project do not have public support.
It said the incident also proved that the law enforcement agencies have failed to show respect towards people’s right to freedom of expression and ensure security to public.
Four people were killed in a clash between police and two groups of villagers over constructing a coal-fired power plant in Banskhali upazila of Chittagong on April 4.
A total of three cases have been filed against 6,000 villagers over the incident. Chittagong district administration formed a committee to probe into the incident.
According to local sources, 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 in the coastal area of Gandamara union.
S Alam Group and SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Corporation of China inked an agreement recently to set up a 1,320 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Banshkhali upazila.
