The two out of four laid-off state-owned jute mills resumed partial operation of their sacking sections on Sunday as per a decision taken by BJMC chairman who recently visited Khulna-Jessore industrial belt to devise ways to resolve the crisis.

It is learnt from leaders of Khulna-Jessore Regional Committee of Patkal Sangram Parishad (PSP) that workers will not join duty until their arrear wages are paid in full, lay-off order withdrawn and arrested workers released unconditionally.

The General Manager of Crescent Jute Mills (CJM) Shamim Ahmed told this correspondent yesterday evening that the crisis was deepening as workers did not join work in the sacking section. Same was the situation at Star Jute Mills where no worker joined work.

"I am smelling an unpleasant situation again in the industrial belt as some CBA leaders are fanning the trouble by instigating workers", said Shamim Ahmed who is also acting as coordinator of Zonal BJMC.

Meanwhile, posters were seen on walls of laid-off jute mills with slogans in support of 'another tough agitation' at Khulna industrial belt in protest against nonpayment of arrear wages and non-allocation of funds required to resume full production in all laid-off jute mills.

CBA leader Abdul Malek at Peoples Jute Mills demanded withdrawal of cases filed against workers under Emergency Power Act with Khalishpur and Daulatpur police stations.

"We have made it very clear to BJMC authorities that any move to reopen any of the laid-off jute mills without payment of arrear wages will bring no positive development to end the deadlock", Malek said.

BJMC Chairman Ataharul Islam visited the laid-off jute mills on May 20 at the head of a six-member high level team and held meetings with top officials of the eight state-owned jute mills on May 21 to find out ways to resolve the crisis.

He submitted a report to government recommending partial reopening of laid-off jute mills, sources said.