Police clear garment workers’ movement, Mirpur metro stations reopen
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Police dispersed garment workers movement in Mirpur demanding a minimum wage of Tk 30,000. The situation and traffic have returned to normal after 12 pm. The Mirpur-10 and Mirpur-11 Metro Rail Stations have also reopened.
Pallabi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jalal Uddin confirmed the matter on Tuesday.
Earlier, garment workers started demonstrating from the morning for the fourth consecutive day. Later, clashes broke out between them and the police. Repeated clashes occurred with the workers as police attempted to control the situation. Police fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the workers.
Although the situation returned to normal after 12 pm, a tense atmosphere prevailed at Mirpur-11. Police personnel were deployed on both sides underneath the Mirpur-11 Metro Rail Station. Leaders and activists of the Jubodal and Chatradal were bringing out processions holding sticks.
At 1:30 pm, OC Jalal told Agamir Somoy, “In the morning, when the workers blocked the road, they were obstructed. Later, brickbats were hurled targeting the police. They were dispersed. After 12 pm, the situation and traffic movement were brought back to normal.”
He added, “Information is being heard that an attempt may be made to block the road again after 2 pm. Therefore, our force has been kept on standby.”
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a garment worker said they would continue their movement until their demands were met. He claimed that police fired tear gas and sound grenades at their peaceful demonstration. The garment worker added that they would return to the movement again after lunch.
Due to the clashes, authorities suspended train stops at Mirpur-10 and Mirpur-11 stations at 11:50 am on Tuesday for security reasons. During this time, all entrance gates of both stations were kept closed. As a result, no passengers could enter or exit the stations. With the situation returning to normal, train operations resumed at both stations around 12:30 pm.
Amid the chases and counter-chases between the police and the protesters, at least seven to eight police officers were injured in attacks by the demonstrators.
OC Jalal said when the workers were chased and dispersed from Mirpur-11, they retreated toward Kalshi. At that time, several police officers were coming toward Mirpur-11 from Pallabi Police Station. Finding them isolated, the attackers launched an assault on them.
Mentioning that five people were arrested during the attack, he added, “Those arrested are not garment workers. We have initially identified them as members of the Awami League and its associate organizations. They have been taken to the police station.”
A video of the attack on the police showed several individuals beating a police officer with sticks. At this time, a few individuals were also seen trying to stop the attackers.
Arriving at the scene, DMP Deputy Commissioner of Police (POM-South) Mohammad Touhidul Arif said, “Miscreants had infiltrated the garment workers’ movement. Worker leaders said workers would withdraw from the movement. Those who continue to protest after this are by no means workers; they are miscreants. Strict action will be taken against them.”
