Highway paralyzed in Gazipur by workers' movement in Kaliakair
The windshield of a truck has been broken by brick pelts thrown by agitating apparel workers at Kaliakair. Agamir Somoy.
The Dhaka-Tangail Highway area remained volatile today (Monday) due to workers' agitation who are demanding a minimum wage of Tk 30,000. Since this morning, workers took positions at Kaliakair, Gazipur, Konabari, Mouchak, Safipur, and Pallibidyut areas of the upazila.
The large gathering of the workers halted vehicular movement on the highway and created a long traffic jam. Over fifty vehicles were vandalized. Police, BGB, and the administration are on the ground to control the situation.
During the protest, the windows and various parts of at least 50 vehicles were vandalized in the Pallibidyut and Mouchak areas. Several shops were also attacked. However, the shops did not suffer significant damage. When police and BGB members moved in to controlling the situation, there were repeated face-offs and chase-and-counter-chase incidents with the workers.
Alongside law enforcement agencies, BNP leaders and activists are also on the ground to control the situation. Majibur Rahman, MP for Gazipur-1 constituency, is stationed at various points on the highway with party leaders and activists. BNP and affiliated organization leaders and activists are trying to persuade the protesters to leave the road, keep vehicular movement normal, and prevent disorder.
Kaliakair Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahidul Islam said workers have been protesting and blocking roads at various points since morning. This created disorder and some vehicles were vandalized. Later, the protesters dispersed due to police action. However, workers are intermittently taking positions on the road again at various points.
The OC further said that while police are trying to bring the situation under control on one hand, workers are continuing their movement by taking positions at various points on the other. The situation was more heated in the morning and the presence of workers on the highway was higher. Currently, their number has decreased somewhat. Police are working to keep the situation normal.
Meanwhile, due to the road blockade, a long traffic jam has formed on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway. Passengers of long-distance buses and various other vehicles are suffering severely. They are being stranded on the road for hours on end.
Workers demand that their minimum monthly wage be set at Tk 30,000 in keeping with the current market situation. Although an initiative has been taken to form a new wage board, they are continuing their movement as no specific wage structure has been announced.
A total of 10 platoons of BGB have been deployed in Gazipur to control the situation. The district administration said BGB members, led by 21 executive magistrates, are performing duties to keep the law and order situation normal.
