One killed as protest erupts in Uttara EPZ

Nilphamari Correspondent :

A person was killed in firing by law enforcing agency in morning of on Tuesday as the workers of a wig factory in Uttara EPZ in Nilphamari staged demonstration in the area demanding their due retirement benefits as per rule. Agitating factory workers alleged that several hundreds of them were sacked by Hong Kong based wig factory Evergeen (BD) Ltd and the management was trying to give them trivial benefits.

The deceased was identified as Md Habib (21), a worker of Equ International in the factory who was son of Dulal Islam of Soto Sangolsi village of Sadarupazila. Eye witness said that the victim came out of the factory in the morning after attending his night duty in the factory. At one stage, he had to go through the agitating crowed on his way and killed as law enforcers opened fire.

Attending physical in the emergency ward of Nilphamari General Hospital Dr. Md. Farhan Tanvirul Islam said that the victim had died before being brought to the hospital at around 9.00 am.
He also said that in primary observation he saw a wound at the chest of the deceased and said that the real cause of the death could be ascertained after post mortem.

The hospital authority said that 7-8 wounded workers were taking treatment in the hospital. An eye witness and a shop owner near the Uttara EPZ alleged that the army opened fire using around 8 round bullets.

Visiting the area at 10 am, this correspondent found that strong contingent of police, BGB and army guarding the area and the agitating workers staging protest at different places in large number by burning tyres on Nilphamari-Saidpur Highway.

Agitating workers alleged that at least three workers of the EPZ were killed in army firing and the concerned authority concealed two of them. They also alleged that the Uttara EPZ management does little for them and safeguard the factory interest.

It is mentioning the Evergreen factory authority sacked several workers in a sudden decision and thousands are in the list of termination. But the authority does not pay their retirement benefits properly though many of them serving there for 8-10 years.

Commander of 56 BGB deployed in the area SkMdBodruzdoza said that the situation is under their total control as they tackling the situation with utmost patience.

General Manager of Uttara EPZ said that they were trying to settle the dispute with the factory management and its workers.