Absentee funeral prayer for slain Gazipur worker Taufik blocked, sound grenades alleged

Law enforcement forces broke up an absentee funeral prayer (gayebana janaza) at Chandana Chowrasta in Gazipur held for the salvation of garment worker Taufik Mia, who was killed in the workers' movement, it has been alleged. As preparations for the prayer were under way, police and BGB jointly fired sound grenades to disperse those present, according to the allegation.

The incident took place at Chandana Chowrasta on Wednesday (4 November) at around 12:45pm.

Eyewitnesses said Taufik Mia (20), a young worker from Gobindaganj in Gaibandha, was seriously injured in an attack during the ongoing movement by garment workers in Gazipur demanding a higher minimum wage. He later died while undergoing treatment.

The absentee funeral prayer at Chandana Chowrasta was organised by the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Jatiya Sramik Shakti to pray for the slain worker's soul.

Before the prayer began, several central and local leaders of the NCP and Sramik Shakti gave brief speeches. When NCP central leader Ali Naser Khan moved to begin the prayer with everyone present, police obstructed them. When the activists tried to start the prayer despite the obstruction, police and BGB jointly fired sound grenades, scattering those gathered.

Protesting the incident, Ali Naser Khan, the NCP's central chief organiser and executive committee member, said police had unjustly obstructed their peaceful religious programme.

Ali Naser Khan demanded a proper investigation, trial and exemplary punishment over the killing of garment worker Taufik. He also called on the government to immediately accept the workers' fair demands.

Ali Naser Khan said they were not allowed to hold the absentee funeral prayer and that the programme was attacked instead. In a Facebook post, he claimed police attacked the activists during the prayer.

The NCP claimed that more than 20 leaders and activists of the party and its associate organisations were injured in the incident.

The injured include Jatiya Sramik Shakti convener Mazhar Fakir, Gazipur district NCP member secretary Abul Kashem Master, Sramik Shakti joint member secretary Sheikh Raihan, Gazipur metropolitan Juba Shakti chief organiser Md Zillur Rahman, Sramik Shakti central member Sheikh Sahana, Juba Shakti Konabari thana chief organiser Rakibul Islam Joy, Kaliakair upazila NCP member Akram Hossain, and Konabari thana Juba Shakti member secretary Zaman Dhali, among many others.

Senior officials of the Gazipur Metropolitan Police were contacted for comment on the incident, but they declined to comment.