Fifth day of Gazipur workers' protest for Tk 30,000 wage: attempt to besiege Kashimpur police station, clashes
Workers in Gazipur continued their protest for a fifth consecutive day on Tuesday (3 November), demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. Although the situation remained somewhat calm around midday, at about 4:30pm agitated workers attempted to besiege and attack the Kashimpur police station of the Gazipur Metropolitan Police, leading to clashes between police and workers.
Eyewitnesses and related sources said police fired tear gas shells from inside the station to bring the situation under control. The protesters scattered briefly but then began hurling brickbats at the police. Several rounds of chases, counter-chases and clashes spread tension across the whole area.
When additional members of the law enforcement agencies reached the spot on receiving the news, the protesters moved away from there.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner (crime and operations) Md Belayet Hossain confirmed the incident, saying: "Alongside the Kashimpur station police, additional members of the law enforcement agencies were sent to the spot. Later, the protesters left the scene when police chased them."
Earlier, at around 9am, workers began the day's protest by blockading the Dhaka–Tangail highway in the Naojor area of Gazipur city. Repeated chases and counter-chases took place between the workers and police there, and police fired tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse the protesters and bring the situation under control.
A short while later, protesters blockaded the road again at Telirchala in the Mouchak area of the same highway. Chases between police and workers continued there for about half an hour before police brought the situation under control.
Workers in various industrial areas of Gazipur have been demonstrating for several days with the demand for a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. On the fifth straight day, the movement escalated to an attempt to besiege a police station.
Because of the highway blockades, clashes and tense situations at various points arising from the movement, normal activity in the industrial area and traffic movement are being disrupted.
