In Bangladesh, police today broke up an anti-Ramphal coal power plant protest in Dhaka during a half-day shut down in the capital. The leaders and activists of the National Committee to Protect Gas, Natural Resources, Power and Ports called for a eight-hour general strike in the capital protesting against the construction of the 1320 MW coal-fired power plant near the Sundarbans. <br/><br/>The project is a joint-Bangladesh-India venture. The proximity of the power plant near the world's largest mangroove forest has prompted protests from environmentalists, but the government has maintained that the use of superior technology and international standards for best environmental safeguards will minimize any harm to the Sundarbans. <br/><br/><br/>As the shut-down supporters moved from Dhaka University campus to Shahbhag threatening smooth flow of traffic, police lobbed several tear gas shells to break their march. Pickets responded with brickbats. <br/><br/>In the clash, a few protestors sustained minor injuries. Shut-down supporters carried out peaceful protests in other parts of the capital including Shantinagar and Mohammedpur. Vehicular traffic was affected to some extent by the protest.