RMG unrest: Two buses torched as Gazipur workers block roads
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Law enforcement presence has been increased on the roads
Garment workers once again took to the streets in Konabari and Kashimpur areas of Gazipur, demanding an increase in their salaries.
The protests escalated to the point where workers set fire to two buses. The demonstration began from the Kashimpur area on Tuesday morning.
Starting at 7am on Tuesday, numerous garment workers from Konabari and Kashimpur areas marched onto the Dhaka-Tangail highway, blocking the road, Konabari police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) KM Ashraf Uddin confirmed.
Law enforcement agencies responded by firing several rounds of tear gas to disperse the protesters. Subsequently, agitated workers set fire to two buses and vandalized several vehicles. At this time, at least four workers were injured.
A large number of police, BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh), and RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) teams arrived at the location and managed to bring the situation under control by around 11:30am. Traffic resumed on the affected road. Since the incident, the situation has remained tense in Konabari, and Kashimpur areas.
Gazipur Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Abdullah Al Arefin reported that agitated workers set fire to two buses as a part of their demands for a salary increase.
The fire service personnel from Kashimpur fire station arrived at the scene and managed to control the fire within about half an hour.
Certain parts, including the seats of the two buses, were damaged in the fire. However, no casualties were reported, he said.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner (DB & Media) Ibrahim Khan said law enforcement presence has been increased on the roads to prevent further outbreaks of violence.
In the morning, workers from several factories, including Standard Garments Limited, Ripon Knitwear Limited, Islam Garments, and Bestall Sweaters in the Konabari area, did not report to work, demanding a salary of 23,000 taka. Approximately 4,000-5,000 workers protested at Jarun of Kashimpur, Jita Mor, and Hatimara areas.
Following the protests, several factory authorities, such as Kaiser Knitwear Limited, Montex Fabrics Limited, Cotton Club BD Limited, Tasnia Fabrics, Multifabs Limited, Alim Knit (BD) Limited, Mithali Fashion Limited, MP Sweater Limited, DBL Group, GMS Composite Limited, Riaz Knit Wear Limited, and Cotton Club unit-2, announced a holiday.
Wishing to remain anonymous, a garment factory worker said: "We do not know who is setting the fire. I came to work on Tuesday morning. The gatekeeper told me to go home. When asked the reason, he said, there was an incident yesterday. Today may also be a problem so the authorities declared a holiday.”