Attack on S Alam power plant in Banshkhali: Division among villagers led to killing, UP Ex-Chairman Liaqat demanded more Tk 10m last month
Chittagong Bureau :
The division among local residents on several issues including construction of the coal-based power plant in Banshkhali led to the killing of four people on Monday last.
One group led by NSN Consortium Chairman Nasir Uddin and Vice Chairman Bahadur Alam Hiran has been favouring the construction of the plant in Paschim Borhoghona under Gondamarha Union. This group is supporting the S Alam for the construction of the plant.
While the BNP’s Chittagong District Unit (South) committee member, land protection committee convenor and former chairman of Gandamara Union Council Liaqat Ali is opposing the setting up of the plant with a group of local people saying that the people would lose their homestead and livelihood.
But Alam and NSN Consortium claimed that the local BNP leader Liaqat is inciting the locals because he is not getting the money he is demanding.
Liaqat was accused of taking Tk 10.3 million last year for helping in land acquisition but did not conclude the deal.
He demanded another Tk 10 million last month when the land-filling began. He started inciting the villagers when his demand was rejected.
Talking to The New Nation , Mustafizur Rahman, MP, of Banshkhali constituency blamed Liakat for the unfortunate clash at Gandamara.
He said that the owner of the plant screened a documentary film on the construction of the coal-based power plant which had satisfied the local people.
Moreover, the local lawmaker claimed that the plant would be an eco-friendly project. So, he favoured the construction of the plant for development of the locality which would create job opportunities for more than 5,000 people.
He also claimed that the construction works began a long time back. But the clash on Monday was unfortunate, he opined. He said Alam group had purchased the land four years back, when a number of villagers alleged they were being forced to sell their land.
Former chairman of Gandamara Union Council Liaqat Ali also alleged that a plan is afoot to evict about 10,000 people. Liaqat Ali is opposing the project out of fear of losing the land of the local people and environmental pollution.
Talking to the newsmen , Adv Kafiluddin, President of Chittagong Bar Association and a resident of Banshkhali termed the incident as unfortunate.
He opined that the plant should be constructed after negotiation with the local people.
He also condemned such a heinous activity to kill innocent people. He observed that there was none to protect the innocent people in Banshkhali.
When contacted, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury President of Chittagong City BNP, and Jafarul Islam Chowdhury, President of Chittagong south District BNP denied to comment on the issue.
The division among local residents on several issues including construction of the coal-based power plant in Banshkhali led to the killing of four people on Monday last.
One group led by NSN Consortium Chairman Nasir Uddin and Vice Chairman Bahadur Alam Hiran has been favouring the construction of the plant in Paschim Borhoghona under Gondamarha Union. This group is supporting the S Alam for the construction of the plant.
While the BNP’s Chittagong District Unit (South) committee member, land protection committee convenor and former chairman of Gandamara Union Council Liaqat Ali is opposing the setting up of the plant with a group of local people saying that the people would lose their homestead and livelihood.
But Alam and NSN Consortium claimed that the local BNP leader Liaqat is inciting the locals because he is not getting the money he is demanding.
Liaqat was accused of taking Tk 10.3 million last year for helping in land acquisition but did not conclude the deal.
He demanded another Tk 10 million last month when the land-filling began. He started inciting the villagers when his demand was rejected.
Talking to The New Nation , Mustafizur Rahman, MP, of Banshkhali constituency blamed Liakat for the unfortunate clash at Gandamara.
He said that the owner of the plant screened a documentary film on the construction of the coal-based power plant which had satisfied the local people.
Moreover, the local lawmaker claimed that the plant would be an eco-friendly project. So, he favoured the construction of the plant for development of the locality which would create job opportunities for more than 5,000 people.
He also claimed that the construction works began a long time back. But the clash on Monday was unfortunate, he opined. He said Alam group had purchased the land four years back, when a number of villagers alleged they were being forced to sell their land.
Former chairman of Gandamara Union Council Liaqat Ali also alleged that a plan is afoot to evict about 10,000 people. Liaqat Ali is opposing the project out of fear of losing the land of the local people and environmental pollution.
Talking to the newsmen , Adv Kafiluddin, President of Chittagong Bar Association and a resident of Banshkhali termed the incident as unfortunate.
He opined that the plant should be constructed after negotiation with the local people.
He also condemned such a heinous activity to kill innocent people. He observed that there was none to protect the innocent people in Banshkhali.
When contacted, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury President of Chittagong City BNP, and Jafarul Islam Chowdhury, President of Chittagong south District BNP denied to comment on the issue.