Garment Workers Clash with Police at Gazipur's Baribari; Tear Gas and Sound Grenades Fired, Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway Blocked

On the sixth day of their movement demanding a minimum wage of Tk 30,000, garment workers again blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at the Baribari area of Gazipur and staged demonstrations. Clashes and chases broke out between the workers and police, and officers fired tear gas shells and sound grenades to bring the situation under control.

The incident took place around 9:30am on Wednesday (November 4) at Baribari in the Board Bazar area of Gazipur city. The blockade brought traffic on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway to a complete halt.

The protesting workers began their demonstration by blocking the highway at around 9:30am. When members of the law enforcement agencies went to the spot to remove them, the workers hurled brickbats at the officers.

At one stage, police fired tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. The area heated up within moments, and chases and counter-chases continued between the two sides.

The protesters then attempted to attack Basan police station in the city. Brickbats were thrown inside the station compound and an assault was mounted with sticks. Police fired tear gas again to repel the attack.

A sufficient number of law enforcement personnel were later deployed in the area to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Amzad Hossain said the situation had remained normal everywhere since morning, but that an isolated incident had occurred in the Baribari area. He said a sufficient number of law enforcement personnel had been deployed there.