Amid a fresh spate of violence this time in Savar by garment workers, the BGMEA leaders after an emergency meeting said such acts of violence by workers are stemmed from the conspiracy to damage Bangladesh's garment sector.

"A neighbouring country wants to grab Bangladesh's share in the competitive international market by creating an unstable situation at factories here," said Abdus Salam Murshedi, acting president of the apex body of the country's garment manufacturers, at a press briefing after the meeting at its office.

But he declined to name the neighbouring country.

Salam brushed aside the allegation that poor wage is reason for violence and said workers at the factories, which were attacked, are well paid and working condition is good there. "Outsiders attacked the factories...not the workers," he commented.

But M Aminul Islam, a factory owner, told the press conference: "Manufacturers in India have told a buyer from France not to do business with Bangladesh saying that a war-like situation is prevailing here."

"Those who took position against Bangladesh in the last WTO meet in Hong Kong are involved in the conspiracy," said SM Taiyub, first vice-president of BGMEA.

He demanded investigation of the violence at factories at the Savar EPZ and Ashulia by intelligence agencies and punishment of the culprits.

As workers at Savar EPZ went on a rampage reportedly for fair wage, owners of different factories gathered at the BGMEA office at Karwan Bazar since yesterday noon and staged demonstrations holding rallies and processions.

About one hundred owners marched to the Prime Minister's Office at about 4:00pm from the BGMEA office but failed to meet the prime minister for her busy schedule.

However, officials at the PMO told the owners that the government has already directed Commerce Minister M Hafizuddin Ahmed and State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar to look into the recent unrest at garment factories.

The commerce minister rushed to the BGMEA office in the evening and held a meeting with the factory owners.

Syed Manzur Elahi, president of the Association of Banks Bangladesh, AK Azad, president of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries and Fazlul Haq, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association were present at the press briefing.

Elahi told the journalists that some quarters are trying to tarnish Bangladesh's image with the foreigners through such acts at a time when a German delegation is visiting Bangladesh.

Asked if there were any NGO behind the workers' unrest, he said: "It's intelligence agencies' job to identify the culprits --whoever they are " NGOs or others."