Workers clash with cops, 5 hurt
Garment workers stage demonstration at Shewrapara in the capital Wednesday morning demanding a hike in thier salaries and other allowances. Photo: Palash Khan
At least five readymade garment workers were injured when they clashed with law enforcers in the capital's Mirpur area on Wednesday.
Production at 10 garment factories in Shewrapara halted as nearly one thousand workers of the units took to the street around 8:30am demanding a hike in their salaries and other benefits including attendance bonus and lunch allowances, reported our correspondent.
Of the factories, Shanin Ltd, MM Dresses Ltd and MM Shirt were closed for two days while JK Fashion-1, JK Fashion-2, Outright Fashion Ltd, Outwear Fashion Ltd, Alfa Knitting Wear Ltd, Fayas Knit Wear Ltd and SQ Sweater shut for today.
Vehicular movements on Begum Rokeya Sarani disrupted on the hartal day following the incident.
It all started from three units --Shanin Ltd, MM Dresses Ltd and MM Shirt-- when the workers came to their workplace around 8:00am and found notices, that read: "The factories remain closed for two days."
The notice caused an agitation among the workers leading to a rowdy protest.
At one stage, the agitating workers went to the adjacent factories and vandalised window panes.
The workers of the adjacent units joined their demonstrating fellows entertaining the call of the agitating workers.
Then, all the workers started demonstrations blocking the road.
On information, police rushed to the spot and chased the marauding workers, said Kazi Wazed Ali, officer-in-charge of Kafrul Police Station.
In retaliation, the workers also hurled brick chips on law enforcers leading to the clash.
At one stage, the law enforcers charged batons on the agitating workers to disperse them. Three people sustained injuries during the clash.
Facing police action, the workers went to Mirpur-10 roundabout to face another bar from Kafrul police.
The Kafrul police also chased the workers around 10:00am to disperse them from the spot, said Kazi Wazed Ali, officer-in-charge of Kafrul Police Station.
Being chased by the law enforcers, agitated workers hurled brick chips on them.
The Mirpur police had to lob at least seven sound grenades to disperse the marauding workers. Two more workers were injured in the incident.
The situation however brought under control around 10:15am, Kafrul OC said.
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