Demand for justice gets louder

A panel of noted rights activists have demanded judicial investigation over the killing of workers at the SS I Power Plant at Chattogram's Banshkhali on April 17.

Speaking at a webinar yesterday, they also sought compensation for the deceased workers' families and said they will submit a protest paper over the killings by police fire at the Chinese embassy.

The power plant where the incident took place is a joint venture involving S Alam Group and a Chinese company.

Prof Anu Muhammad, noted economist and member secretary of the national committee to protect oil, gas, mineral resources, power and ports; Dhaka University Prof Tanzimuddin Khan; Gana Samhati Andolan chief co-ordinator Zonayed Saki, among others, placed the demands while speaking at the webinar organised by Life and Nature Safeguard Platform (LNSP).

Meanwhile, a group of left-leaning student organisation members held a rally in front of Shahbagh's National Museum simultaneously, demanding that the police who fired at the workers be brought to justice.

They placed some additional demands, including the withdrawal of false cases filed against workers, prosecution of police personnel involved in the incident and compensation for the families of the deceased workers.

On April 17, police fired on a group of SS I Power Plant workers who were protesting in demand of their unpaid wages and better working conditions.

Till yesterday, police have confirmed six deaths.