Firing at Banshkhali

Removal of UNO, OC demanded

Residents of Gondamara have demanded that Banshkhali UNO Md Shamsuzzaman and the OC of Banshkhali police station, Swapan Kumar Mozumdar, be removed over the firing at anti-power plant protesters.
The villagers made the demand at a meeting between them and representatives of the Chittagong district administration, held at the Chittagong circuit house yesterday (Saturday).
Locals claimed they had called their meeting three days ago. Around 12 noon on the day, they learnt that the rival group (pro-power plant) too had called a meeting at the same place. Around 3 pm, the police fired at the people. The firing took place because of the ineptitude of the UNO and the OC, they alleged. The locals also demanded that the reason for the firing, which left four dead on April 4, be found out.
Mesbah Uddin, deputy commissioner (DC) of Chittagong, admitted that there was lack of coordination. “We did not anticipate that the situation had worsened so much. The UNO and the OC wanted to tackle the situation on their own,” he said.
The DC assured the people that he would take action against the UNO and the OC. “We've come to understand that landowners had not got the market price for their land. Brokers and swindlers took away the money,” said the DC.
“We had decided that the police would not arrest anyone else. If those in jail want it, we will bail them out. The cases lodged over the clash will be withdrawn. The coal-based power plant will be set up if local people are satisfied,” he added.
Bodi Ahmed, president of the Save Gondamara Movement who lost his two brothers, Mortuza and Anwar, in the clash, said: “My brothers died and my son is in jail. I want justice.”

Firing at Banshkhali

Removal of UNO, OC demanded

Residents of Gondamara have demanded that Banshkhali UNO Md Shamsuzzaman and the OC of Banshkhali police station, Swapan Kumar Mozumdar, be removed over the firing at anti-power plant protesters. The villagers made the demand at a meeting between them and representatives of the Chittagong district administration, held at the Chittagong circuit house yesterday (Saturday). Locals claimed they had called their meeting three days ago. Around 12 noon on the day, they learnt that the rival group (pro-power plant) too had called a meeting at the same place. Around 3 pm, the police fired at the people. The firing took place because of the ineptitude of the UNO and the OC, they alleged. The locals also demanded that the reason for the firing, which left four dead on April 4, be found out. Mesbah Uddin, deputy commissioner (DC) of Chittagong, admitted that there was lack of coordination. We did not anticipate that the situation had worsened so much. The UNO and the OC wanted to tackle the situation on their own, he said. The DC assured the people that he would take action against the UNO and the OC. Weve come to understand that landowners had not got the market price for their land. Brokers and swindlers took away the money, said the DC. We had decided that the police would not arrest anyone else. If those in jail want it, we will bail them out. The cases lodged over the clash will be withdrawn. The coal-based power plant will be set up if local people are satisfied, he added. Bodi Ahmed, president of the Save Gondamara Movement who lost his two brothers, Mortuza and Anwar, in the clash, said: My brothers died and my son is in jail. I want justice.