Demonstration against construction of a power plant in Chittagong’s Banshkhali scheduled for Sunday has been postponed for 15 days.
A forum styled ‘Residents for Saving Homestead’ announced the deferment of their agitation programme on Saturday following discussion with a ruling Awami League leader, lawyers and a former Banshkhali Police Station OC.
Local BNP leader and convenor of the forum Liakat Ali said Chittagong Awami League leader Abdullah Kabir Liton hold the discussion following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directive.
Liton told the local residents that the power plant work would remain suspended for 15 days.
“False cases against locals will be withdrawn and arrested persons will be released. Treatment will be arranged for those [injured in clashes] who avoided treatment fearing [arrest],” he said.
Four protesters died in clashes with police and those opposing the plant on Apr 4.
Liton also said Bangladeshi and foreign environment scientists would brief the locals in a seminar to make them understand that the coal-fired plant ‘will not be a threat to the environment in the area’.
Tension mounted in the area on Friday when the protesters and those backing the plant announced simultaneous programmes for Sunday.
The supporters of the project said they would go ahead with their demonstration in support of the plant on Sunday.
Source: bdnews24