Clashes, arson escalate RMG uproar
Violent garment workers’ protests spread across several industrial areas on Tuesday, with demonstrators blocking major roads, clashing with police and setting fire to wooden furniture, prompting security agencies to step up their deployment to contain the unrest.
The agitation disrupted traffic in parts of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur, while police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse protesters.
A police constable was also seriously injured after being beaten with sticks by several people on Kalshi Road in the capital.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) deployed 12 platoons to maintain law and order in Gazipur, Narayanganj and neighbouring industrial zones. The force is also monitoring developments directly through drones and body-worn cameras.
According to the BGB, 10 platoons are currently deployed in Safipur, Kaliakair and Konabari areas of Gazipur, while two platoons are stationed in Chashara, Narayanganj.
They are working in coordination with the local administration and other law enforcement agencies. Security forces are also closely monitoring Ashulia and Mirpur.
In Gazipur’s Naojor area, police cleared the highway after workers blocked it in protest, restoring normal traffic movement. Meanwhile, law enforcement personnel fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse demonstrators in Nishchintapur and Narsinghapur areas of Ashulia, Savar, on Tuesday morning.
Additional police, BGB personnel and executive magistrates remained on alert along the Dhaka-Tangail highway and other strategic points to prevent further violence.
In Narayanganj, garment workers blocked the Shibu Market area of the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road for a second consecutive day, following a similar blockade on Monday.
Workers made several attempts to block the road from 11:00am, but police initially thwarted them.
They eventually established a blockade around 3:00pm after workers from several nearby factories took to the streets in a procession. A large number of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road.
A large contingent of police, BGB and other law enforcement personnel was deployed to clear the blockade. BNP leaders and activists were also stationed at different points along the road.
In the capital’s Mirpur area, garment workers again took to the streets, triggering clashes with police and repeated chases and counter-chases.
Protesters hurled bricks and stones at police from different directions, prompting law enforcement personnel to fire tear gas and sound grenades. Police also used batons to disperse demonstrators.
Later, protesters piled wooden furniture on the road and set it on fire, creating a tense situation in Mirpur-11 and surrounding areas. Police detained at least three people.
Meanwhile, a police constable was severely beaten by several people after becoming separated from his colleagues on Kalshi Road at around 11:00am. The injured officer, Md Simon, is receiving treatment at Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital.
Jalal Uddin, officer-in-charge of Pallabi Police Station, confirmed the incident. He said that after police dispersed protesters from Mirpur-11, the demonstrators moved towards Kalshi.
Several officers from Pallabi Police Station were also heading towards Mirpur-11 when Constable Simon became separated from the group and was attacked.
Speaking to journalists beneath the Mirpur-11 Metro Rail station around noon, Touhidul Arif, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s POM South Division, alleged that miscreants were attempting to destroy public and private property.
“Some miscreants tried to destroy everything. They had set up a barricade on Mirpur-11 Road. You saw that we put down the situation with a firm hand. If necessary, we will be even firmer,” he said.
Questioning the identity of the protesters, the police official said those currently participating in the demonstrations did not appear to be genuine garment workers.
“We believe they are there with some special purpose. That is why we are preparing to suppress them firmly,” he added.
Claiming that the situation was under police control, Touhidul Arif said protesters had thrown bricks and stones at law enforcement personnel.
He could not immediately confirm the number of injured police officers, arrests or casualties, saying the figures would be available later.
He said traffic had returned to normal and police were patrolling different lanes and alleys to check whether anyone was still hiding in the area.
Asked about a video showing a police officer being beaten with sticks, he said the police had seen the footage and would take necessary action.
The deputy commissioner added that the identities of the protesters and whether anyone was instigating them behind the scenes would be established through investigation.
“My belief is that genuine workers are not on the ground now.
They may have gone home on their day off, or they may be working at their garments. Those who are there now, we think, are there with some special purpose,” he said.
Earlier, the administration said factories that had announced holidays following Monday’s protests had reopened on Tuesday morning. Ten BGB platoons and 25 executive magistrates were deployed in the field to prevent further disorder.
Meanwhile, at least 30 people were arrested in Gazipur on Monday in connection with three cases involving vandalism and arson.
The administration has also issued a public notice requesting landlords not to provide accommodation to outsiders amid concerns over further violence.
