Ashulia industrial area situation normal, 40 arrested in three districts are not real workers: DIG Mustafizur
The overall situation at garment factories in Dhaka's Ashulia industrial area is normal, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for Dhaka Range Mustafizur Rahman has said. Briefing journalists on the overall situation in the Ashulia industrial area at Padmar Mor in Savar's Hemayetpur on Tuesday afternoon (3 November), he said none of the 40 people arrested in three districts are real workers; they are all troublemakers.
The DIG said police are working to ensure the safety of workers, the safety of factories and the safety of the general public. There is no security deficit in the industrial area. However, strict legal action will be taken against anyone who tries to create disorder using a worker's identity. After the briefing, he went to the Ashulia EPZ area after 2 pm and spoke to journalists there as well. Dhaka District Superintendent of Police (SP) Shamima Parveen was present at the time.
In Hemayetpur, the DIG said: 'At present a good environment prevails in the industrial area. Alongside district police, industrial police, APBn, RRF and uniformed police, police have also been deployed in plain clothes. Police are working to ensure factory security, workers' security and overall security. Production activities are continuing in the factories of the Savar area.'
Giving the arrest figures, the DIG said: 'Yesterday, 15 troublemakers were arrested in Dhaka district, 8 in Gazipur and 17 in Narayanganj. They tried to create disorder. The law is being strictly applied against them. So far, one case has been filed in the Savar area in this connection. The proceedings of the other cases are under process.'
About those arrested, he added: 'None of those arrested in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj are real workers; they are all troublemakers. They are being considered as such. Police have a strict warning for anyone who tries to create disorder in the industrial sector or the whole country using a worker's identity. Their ill intentions will not be allowed to succeed in any way.'
About the troublemakers' activities, the DIG said police are investigating what kind of activities they are conducting. Police have intelligence reports on the matter. Intelligence information is being collected in phases and legal action is being taken on the basis of sufficient information. Who the financiers are, who the instigators are, who is directly creating disorder and who is cooperating with them — everything is being kept under observation and surveillance, he said.
On the wage issue, the DIG said: 'The minimum wage board was formed the day before yesterday. The board is carrying on its activities. The government is very sincere towards our worker brothers and sisters. So those who are still outside are no longer being seen as part of the workers' movement; rather, they are being considered troublemakers. Strict action is being taken against them.' Noting that arrests based on intelligence information are continuing, he added that no one is above the law.
Assuring workers and factory owners, DIG Mustafizur Rahman said: 'Through you I want to call on our worker brothers and sisters — continue your work safely. We will give you security. I also want to tell the owners — continue your factory activities without worry. We will ensure your security.' He added that Dhaka district police and industrial police are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of workers, factories, and pedestrians and the general public.
Issuing a warning to those trying to create disorder, the DIG said their intentions will not succeed in any way. Police are in, and will remain in, a strict legal position.
