25 Platoons Deployed in Gazipur Industrial Belt After Workers' Protests, 25 Magistrates on Duty

Security has been tightened in Gazipur's industrial belt following workers' protests demanding a minimum wage of Tk 30,000. A total of 25 platoons of the BGB, Ansar and the Special Response Battalion (SRB) have been deployed to control the law and order situation, led by 25 executive magistrates.

Assistant Commissioner (Media and Research Cell) of the Gazipur Deputy Commissioner's office, Md Arif Hossain, confirmed the matter on Wednesday morning (4 November).

District administration sources said that, in view of the ongoing labour unrest in the industrial belt, the BGB deployment has been raised from 11 to 12 platoons. In addition, 5 platoons of Ansar and 8 platoons of SRB members are in the field.

Members of the law enforcement agencies are performing duty to control the situation under the leadership of 25 executive magistrates.

Md Arif Hossain said BGB members have already taken up positions in the field. Members of the other law enforcement agencies are also ready.

He said the law enforcement agencies will perform their duties while remaining alert so that state property and people's lives and property are not harmed in the name of movement.

Meanwhile, as of 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, there was no report of workers taking positions on any highway or regional road in Gazipur.

For the past several days, workers of various industrial factories in Gazipur have been protesting by blocking the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways, demanding a wage increase.

During this time, agitated workers were accused of setting fire to a police box, a police vehicle and a factory warehouse. Clashes between workers and law enforcement personnel also took place at various points.

Workers and law enforcement personnel were injured in those incidents. Several people were detained. Various factory authorities also declared holidays because of the workers' protests.