RMG workers, cops clash near Secretariat

A clash broke out between police and garment workers marching from Shrom Bhaban towards the Secretariat yesterday, as they protested for unpaid wages, Eid bonuses, and leave.

The confrontation occurred around 12:30pm in front of the Secretariat.

Protesters claimed police charged batons at their peaceful demonstration, injuring several.

Some, including Dilip Roy, president of Biplobi Chhatra Maitree, were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

"Dilip was badly beaten and dragged into custody," said a protester.

He was later released.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post last night, Dilip said police beat him up twice.

"They kept on cursing me. They asked how many cops did I beat up on August 5? They said I will now understand the fun of taking on the police. They said they will beat me and then hang me," he alleged.

He also claimed that a few police officials stood there describing how he should be dealt with.

Photo: Anisur Rahman

Aminul Islam, a garment worker receiving treatment at DMCH, said, "We were peacefully heading to the Secretariat with rightful demands when police charged batons without cause. We seek justice."

However, Md Khalid Mansur, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, claimed a group of workers tried to enter the Secretariat.

"When police intervened, they threw bricks and stones at officers, injuring three. We used batons to disperse them," he claimed.

Student organisations condemned the police action and demanded punishment for those involved.

Leftist student groups held a torch procession from TSC through Doyel Chattar, High Court intersection, and Purana Paltan before concluding at Shrom Bhaban with a rally.

They demanded action against police officers responsible for attacking Dilip Roy, who is also coordinator of Ganatantrik Chhatra Jote, alongside Shima Dutta, president of Naari Mukti Kendra; Araf, an activist of Chhatra Front; and the protesting workers.

They also called for immediate payment of the workers' dues.

Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir condemned the attack, calling the delay in paying workers a violation of labour laws.

"The leaders of a newly formed party, capitalising on the mass uprising, are organising grand showdowns funded by industrialists, while the workers are starving before Eid," he also said.

Chhatra Federation, Chhatra Union, Bangladesh Democratic Student Council and Birottoro Parbatya Chattogram Pahari Chhatra Parishad also condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the workers' demands.