Protests at Payra power plant leads to Chinese worker’s death

A Chinese worker, who was injured in a clash over the death of a worker at Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant in Kalapra upazila on Tuesday, died at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital on Wednesday.

The deceased is Jung Yung Sung, an employee of the power plant.

Factory workers said Sabindra Das, 32, son of Nagendra Das of Nabiganj upazila in Habiganj district, was killed as he fell into a boiler of the plant on Tuesday afternoon.

As the news spread around, Bangladeshi workers of the plant burst into anger and vandalised its office, canteen and training centre inside the power plant.

They also confined the employees and staff of Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited (BCPCL) and 3000 Chinese workers to the power plant for eight hours from 3pm on Tuesday, said Shahmoni Ziko, an administrative officer of BCPCL.

Six Chinese workers who suffered injuries during the unrest were sent to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital where Jung Young succumbed to his injuries around 10am on Wednesday, said Bakir Hossain, a physician of the hospital.

Manirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kalapara police station, said police on information went to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Matiul Islam Chowdhury, deputy commissioner of the district, said necessary steps were taken in this regard.

Following the evolving situation, state minister for power Nasrul Hamid rushed in by a helicopter on Wednesday morning and held a meeting with the protesting workers in the afternoon.

At the meeting, the Bangladeshi workers agreed to join the work and the administration assured them of their security, said sources at the meeting wishing anonymity.

Meanwhile, eight platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh were deployed at the power plant at the request of the district magistrate to avert further trouble.

An executive magistrate will also be there to monitor the overall situation.

Besides, the body of Sabindra Das was sent to Patuakhali Sadar Hospital for autopsy while that of Jung Yung Sung kept at the Barishal hospital.

Two of the badly injured Chinese workers were sent to Dhaka for better treatment.