Worker killed in police firing

A broken window of Karnaphuli Shoe Industries Ltd at Korean Export Processing Zone in Chittagong. Workers vandalised four of its units and clashed with police over wages yesterday. A worker died and 15 were injured in clashes. Photo: ANURUP KANTI DAS

A female worker of a shoe factory was killed and 12 others were injured during a demonstration in the Korean Export Processing Zone in the district's Anwara upazila yesterday.
The dead worker, Parvin Akter, 20, was a worker of Karnaphuli Shoe Industries Ltd, a company of Korea-based Youngone Group.
Workers alleged she was shot in the head as police without any provocation opened fire during their rally in front of the factory around 1:00am yesterday.  
Police, however, said they fired gunshots when the workers hurled brickbats at them.
Earlier in the morning, the workers received monthly wages as per the new pay scale.
But their monthly travel allowance of Tk 400 was reduced to Tk 200, said Jahedul Islam, a production helper of the factory. Besides, their Tk 50 monthly charge for lunch was also increased to Tk 650.
Agitated, they came out of the factory and held the rally. At one stage, the authorities called in the police.
The law enforcers fired live rounds, rubber bullets and teargas shells, leaving Parvin and 12 others wounded, workers said.
The workers fought back using brickbats and sticks, injuring three constables. They also vandalised a factory unit, two trucks and a police microbus and torched the security room.
The situation came under control around 3:00pm, said Mohiuddin Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Karnaphuli Police Station.
Meanwhile, Parvin was taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where doctors declared her dead. Other bullet-hit workers were also admitted to this hospital.
The factory was declared closed for Saturday following the incident. Its authorities could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.