Garment workers, police clash at Tejgaon: 25 hurt
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
FE Report
Hundreds of garment workers Tuesday clashed with the law enforcers demanding reopening of an apparel unit at Tejgaon industrial area in the city that left 25 people, including 10 policemen, injured.
Witnesses said the violence started in the industrial area after the authorities of Samahar Sweater Factory had failed to resume its production. Tuesday was fixed for reopening of the unit which was closed since Thursday following termination of 27 workers.
Agitating workers said they came to commence work at the factory gate in the morning and became unruly after being told that the factory would be shut down for a few days more, causing the violence.
Later, the workers accompanied by workers of adjacent factories, went on the rampage over their demand and were engaged in clashes as police guarding the industrial area resisted them in putting up barricades on Mohakhali-Satrashta road.
During the chase and counter-chase, police charged batons, lobbed tear gas shells and fired bullets to disperse the violent workers who were also responding to the police beatings by pelting brickbats and stones that left at least 25 people, including 10 police personnel, injured.
The workers alleged that the police suddenly attacked their peaceful demonstration with tear gas shells and gunshots that injured their dozens of colleagues.
Tejgaon industrial zone police chief Omar Faruk said they charged batons on the protesters as they became unruly and started vandalism in the industrial hub and added the workers also damaged several vehicles and apparel units. "Now the situation is under control," Mr. Faruk said.
Hundreds of garment workers Tuesday clashed with the law enforcers demanding reopening of an apparel unit at Tejgaon industrial area in the city that left 25 people, including 10 policemen, injured.
Witnesses said the violence started in the industrial area after the authorities of Samahar Sweater Factory had failed to resume its production. Tuesday was fixed for reopening of the unit which was closed since Thursday following termination of 27 workers.
Agitating workers said they came to commence work at the factory gate in the morning and became unruly after being told that the factory would be shut down for a few days more, causing the violence.
Later, the workers accompanied by workers of adjacent factories, went on the rampage over their demand and were engaged in clashes as police guarding the industrial area resisted them in putting up barricades on Mohakhali-Satrashta road.
During the chase and counter-chase, police charged batons, lobbed tear gas shells and fired bullets to disperse the violent workers who were also responding to the police beatings by pelting brickbats and stones that left at least 25 people, including 10 police personnel, injured.
The workers alleged that the police suddenly attacked their peaceful demonstration with tear gas shells and gunshots that injured their dozens of colleagues.
Tejgaon industrial zone police chief Omar Faruk said they charged batons on the protesters as they became unruly and started vandalism in the industrial hub and added the workers also damaged several vehicles and apparel units. "Now the situation is under control," Mr. Faruk said.