Clashes in Ashulia Worker Protest, Three Bomb-Like Objects Recovered, At Least 26 Factories Closed
Amid the heated situation of the ongoing workers' movement and protest in Ashulia, industrial police have recovered three hand-bomb-like objects from the Baipail-Abdullahpur road. More than 10 members of the industrial police were injured in clashes.
The three objects were recovered on Saturday (31 October) around noon in front of the New Age factory in the Nishchintapur area of the Baipail and Abdullahpur road. Additional Superintendent of Police Syed Faisal Islam of Industrial Police-1 confirmed the matter.
He said the three bomb-like objects were recovered from the scene amid the workers' movement. It could not be confirmed immediately who brought the objects there or left them behind.
Earlier, from Saturday morning, workers of various garment factories in the Kathgara Bazar, Nayapara and Nishchintapur areas of Ashulia began protesting. After 8am, workers stopped work inside the factories and came outside. By noon, they had taken position in the Nishchintapur area of the Abdullahpur-Baipail road and continued demonstrating.
At that time, workers of several factories including Continental, AR Jeans and CWS threw brickbats and carried out vandalism. Glass at the AR Jeans and Continental factories was smashed. To bring the situation under control, the concerned factory authorities and AR Jeans declared a general holiday.
To control the situation and maintain order on the highway, police and law enforcement agencies fired tear shells and sound grenades to disperse the workers. Chase and counter-chase and clashes injured several workers and pedestrians along with more than ten members of the industrial police.
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mominul Islam of Industrial Police-1 said the situation was under control.
Facing the ongoing movement, at least 26 factories including AR Jeans, Continental, Naim Knitwear, New Age, Knit Asia and Sterling Creations are currently closed. The situation is now reported to be normal.
