Indian citizens working at the Rampal power plant in Bagerhat staged a demonstration to return to their homeland on Sunday.
Around 400 workers did a sit in protest in Baburbari on the Mongla-Khulna Highway, near their workplace in the afternoon.
Workers said they could not return to India as they couldn't renew their passports due to the countrywide shutdown. Moreover, they said they are deprived of decent quality food and were not paid in full, which prompted them to take to the streets.
The protesters hurled brickbats at police when they reached the spot. However, the situation was soon brought under control.
Md Mamunur Rashid, deputy commissioner of Bagerhat district said they talked about the issue with the protesting workers and soon brought the situation under control. He said action needed will be taken after discussing the matter with the power plant authorities.
Two weeks earlier, workers staged a demonstration with similar demands.
The Rampal power plant is a proposed 1320 megawatt coal-fired power station in Rampal Upazila of Bagerhat District in Khulna. It is a joint partnership between India's state owned National Thermal Power Corporation and Bangladesh Power Development Board. Currently, 1802 foreigners are working at the power station, including 21 Chinese and 1344 Indian workers.
