A demand of Tk 50 lakh in compensation for the families of each worker killed in police firing at S Alam Group's coal-based power plant in Banshkhali has been raised by Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, trustee of Gonoshasthaya Kendra. Dr Zafarullah placed the demand in front of media while visiting the families of the killed workers on Sunday. Along with the compensation, Dr Zafarullah demanded employment for the family members of the victims. Also read: 2500 sued over Banshkhali incident He also demanded judicial investigation of the police firing incident at the under-construction power plant, owned by S Alam Group and a Chinese company in a joint venture. On April 17, five workers lost their lives and more 30 sustained injuries as police open fired on protesting workers. They were agitating for payment of dues as well as breaks for prayer/iftar during Ramadan. Later on April 21, another worker injured in the incident breathed his last in hospital. Also read: Banshkhali incident: SKOP demands judicial investigation Police and District administration have formed two probe bodies on this matter. Until now two cases have been filed in this connection, blaming the workers for the incident. Victims' families have not sought legal recourse

Five workers of a coal-based power plant of S Alam Group were shot to death and 25 others injured in a clash between police and workers over payment of their dues in Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram district on Saturday. The victims were identified as Ahmed Reza, Rony Hossain, Shuvho, Mohammad Rahat and Mohammad Raihan. Quoting locals, Azizul Islam, officer-in-charge of Banshkhali Police Station, said a tense situation had been prevailing among workers of the power plant since Friday over the payment of their dues. Also read: BNP activists fight with police in city; 2 cops injured On Saturday morning, union leaders sat in a meeting with the local administration to settle the issue. At one stage, an altercation broke out around 11:45 am, triggering a chase and counter chase.