10 hurt as RMG workers, police clash in Gazipur

Staff Reporter  :
At least 10 people, including two police officials, have been injured in two separate clashes between RMG workers and police on Saturday.

In Gazipur, at least six persons including two officers of the Industrial Police have been injured in Gazipur during a clash with workers of a garment factory demanding a pay raise.

The incident took place around 10 am on Saturday when police confronted the protesting workers from SM Knit Garments in the Gazipur Sadar Upazila’s New Market area.

During the confrontation, Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Asad of Sreepur Sub-Zone and from the Industrial Police and Inspector Abdur Noor suffered injuries from brickbats thrown by the workers.

According to police, around 10 am, the workers of SM Knit Garments initiated their protest.

When they attempted to block the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, the police intervened.

The agitated workers then began hurling brickbats at the police,”To restore order, the police dispersed the workers by using sound grenades, tear gas, and blank gunshots, police said.

“Initially, we attempted to talk to the workers. However, when they refused to cooperate and attempted to block the highway, the police took action,” said ASP Asad, who was injured in the clash.

Meanwhile, at least three persons were injured when police locked into a clash with RMG workers demanding a hike in their wage in Ashulia of Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka.

The clash erupted at Jamgora Choytola area on the Tongi-Ashulia-EPZ road on Saturday.

The three injured were identified as Amir Hossain, Md Shamim and Md Tajuddin.

They have been admitted to the Ashulia Women and Children Hospital.

There were signs of injuries from pellets on their bodies. Of them, van puller Amir Hossain sustained injuries from pellets fired by the police.

Local sources said at 8am, employees of several factories took to the street and blocked the Tongi-Ashulia-EPZ road in the area, demanding wage hike.

When the workers tried to block the road, the law enforcers asked them to leave road. All on a sudden, they started throwing brickbats to police.

A counter-chase also took place between the two groups. At one stage, police used teargas shells and threw rubber bullets to disperse the workers from the road.

Detective Branch of Dhaka North Police officer-in-charge (OC) Riaz Uddin Ahmed Biplob confirmed the matter.