After three days of protests, garment workers return to work in Narayanganj's Fatullah as police and BGB stay alert
After three consecutive days of labour movement demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, road blockades and clashes with police, the situation in Fatullah, Narayanganj has largely returned to normal. From Thursday (5 November) morning, workers were seen returning to work at most garment factories.
From Thursday morning, normal work activity was seen among workers in Fatullah's Katherpul, Ramarbag, Shibu Market and Nayamati areas. Attendance at the factories was like on other days, and vehicle movement on the roads has also become normal.
Earlier, from Monday to Wednesday, tension spread in these areas for three consecutive days over the labour unrest. Although they joined work in the mornings each day, at various times workers came out of the factories and took part in protests on the roads. At one stage, chases, counter-chases and clashes with police also took place.
Although the situation remained calm on Thursday, law enforcement agencies have maintained extra vigilance in the area over fears of a fresh untoward situation arising.
Additional police members have been deployed in the Katherpul, Shibu Market and Nayamati areas. BGB members were also seen patrolling Shibu Market and various nearby roads. Members of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) are also on duty.
Not only in Fatullah, security has also been strengthened in Chashara, an important area of Narayanganj city. Alongside the police, BNP leaders and activists were also seen positioned there. The additional DIG spoke to police members on duty in the Chashara Shaheed Minar area.
Bangladesh Trust Workers Federation central president F M Abu Sayed said the situation has remained calm so far. Workers have returned to their respective workplaces and are working. But he expressed fear that resentment is being created among workers through the incitement of some domestic and foreign circles even after the wage board's decision was announced.
Additional superintendent of police (crime and operations) Tarek Al Mehedi said members of the law enforcement agencies have been deployed at various important places since morning to keep the situation normal and under control. Police are alert so that no one can try to create disorder, he said.
