At least three people were killed and 20 others, including police and ansar members injured in a clash at Gandamara village in Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong on Monday over the construction of a coal-based power plant.

Banshkhali UNO M Shamsuzzaman told media that three people were killed while 11 law enforcers and nine villagers injured during the clash .

Chittagong superintendent of police AKM Hafiz Akhter told media that the clash ensued at about 4pm when villagers tried to encircle the police.

Additional superintendent of  police said two seperate groups, in favour of and against setting up of the power plant by S Alam group, called meetings in Gandamara union in the afternoon.

Apprehending trouble, the local administration imposed section 144 in Gandamara area.

Police obstructed a group when they tried to hold meeting defying the ban.

At one stage, they encircled the police and Ansar members deployed in the area and threw brick chips at them that led to a clash.

S Alam Group of Industries is setting up the 1,224 MW power plant at Gandamar Pashchim Boroghona in Banskhali upazila and for this several acres of land have been acquired.

Local sources said a section of  villagers have been protesting the set up of the power plant from the very beginning in fear of losing their lands

LY