"If mills and factories are closed down following these incidents, it'll create social problems. Whoever has done it, all political parties and citizens will have to be united to resist this quarter," he said.

Talking to reporters at his Mintoo Road official residence in the afternoon, Bhuiyan said the incidents damaged Bangladesh's image abroad and the foreign buyers left the country with a bad impression. "We must restore our image."

The LGRD minister offered condolences to those killed and injured and lost property in the violence in the last few days in Gazipur, Savar and Dhaka.

In a country, Bhuiyan said, disputes between workers and owners are obvious, the incidents that happened in the last few days are unprecedented in national and international arenas. "Those who have indulged in arson are enemies of the country," he said.

Bhuiyan said it is deplorable that workers of a particular factory launched attacks on other factories on the plea of realising their demands. "I personally feel that a worker cannot burn or damage his own factory...I have reports that outsiders have staged the violence."

The BNP secretary general urged the workers to place their demands and assured them of settling those through negotiations. "We'll cooperate with you in realisation of your demands," he said, urging the owners to accept their demands through discussions.

In response to the owners' demand for providing security, the minister said the government has arranged security for them.

Asked about police inaction during arson and violence by mobs, he said the police were liberal but were asked to take appropriate steps to control the situation.

He said adequate security measures have been taken for safety and security of the production units, and life and property.