25 platoons of BGB, Ansar deployed in Gazipur again as workers return to factories
On the ninth day since the workers’ movement demanding a minimum wage hike, extensive security measures have been tightened to keep law and order under control in Gazipur’s industrial belt. A total of 25 platoons of law enforcement personnel — 12 platoons of BGB, 5 platoons of Ansar and 8 platoons of SRB — have been deployed under the leadership of 25 executive magistrates.
Md Arif Hossain, assistant commissioner (media and research cell) of the Gazipur deputy commissioner’s office, confirmed the information this morning, Sunday (8 November).
As of 8am, there was no news of workers gathering or blockading anywhere in Gazipur, including on the Dhaka-Tangail or Dhaka-Mymensingh highways or any regional road. Instead, workers of various factories were seen entering their workplaces in groups, and the industrial belt appeared to be returning to normal activity for now.
According to district administration sources, the 12 platoons of BGB, 5 platoons of Ansar and 8 platoons of SRB were deployed to ensure the overall security of the industrial belt amid the ongoing labour unrest. Law enforcement personnel are performing their duties in the field under the leadership of 25 executive magistrates.
Assistant Commissioner Md Arif Hossain said no disorder, damage to state property or threat to the safety of people’s lives and property would be allowed in connection with the workers’ movement. Law enforcement remains on alert to keep the situation under control. BGB members have already started duty in the field, and other law enforcement personnel are also ready.
Workers of various factories in Gazipur have been protesting for the past few days, blocking the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways over demands including a pay rise. During this period, clashes broke out between police and workers at various places on several occasions.
Agitating workers were accused of setting fire to a police box, a police vehicle and a factory warehouse. Workers and members of law enforcement were injured in these incidents, and several people were detained.
Factory authorities temporarily declared closures because of the labour unrest. During the movement, a worker named Taufiq was beaten while recording video on his mobile phone and was injured. He later died.
After six consecutive days of labour unrest over the demand for higher wages in Gazipur’s industrial belt, the situation began returning to normal. As most factories reopened, workers returned to work from Thursday morning. There was no news of violence or disorder anywhere, and traffic on the highways was normal.
In this situation, the administration has tightened security to avoid any untoward incident in the industrial belt and to keep the overall law and order situation normal. With workers returning to their workplaces on Sunday morning, normal activity appeared to be returning to the industrial belt.
