BGB deployed in industrial belt on Dhaka-Tangail highway after worker-police clash in Gazipur, to stay until Nov 7
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed in the industrial belt on the Dhaka-Tangail highway after a worker-police clash in Gazipur. On Sunday morning (November 1), BGB members reached Konabari, Safipur, Kaliakair and surrounding areas of the district.
Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Mohammad Amjad Hossain confirmed the matter. He said the BGB had been deployed since Sunday morning and its members had already reached the area. For now, five platoons are to be deployed, though the number of BGB personnel may be increased if needed.
The superintendent also said BGB members would work in coordination with the industrial police to keep the situation normal in the industrial areas including Konabari, Safipur and Kaliakair. The BGB will remain on the road until November 7.
Earlier, on Saturday (October 31), workers from various garment factories blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway at the Chandra Palli Bidyut area of Kaliakair, protesting to demand a minimum wage of Tk 30,000. The blockade, which began at around 2:30pm, stopped traffic on both sides of the highway and created a long tailback.
Eyewitnesses said workers of the Interstop factory first took position on the highway and began protesting. Workers from several more nearby factories later joined them. At one stage the protesters put sacks full of soil, wood and bamboo on the highway and set them on fire, stopping traffic.
To control the situation and avoid possible disorder, holidays were declared at about 20 factories from Konabari to Chandra. Police requested the workers to leave the highway. But when the workers continued the blockade, a clash began between the two sides.
The workers threw brickbats at the police. Police fired several rounds of tear shells and sound grenades to control the situation. At least 15-16 vehicles, including a police vehicle, were vandalised during the clash. Several people, including workers and police members, were injured in chases and counter-chases.
Later, at around 7:30pm, traffic returned to normal after the workers left the highway. The BGB was deployed to strengthen security in the industrial area in the situation that arose and to avoid fresh untoward incidents.
