Commuters suffer as RMG, transport workers demo on Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway at two spots

Workers of a readymade garment (RMG) factory and CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers are protesting by blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway at two separate locations in Gazipur over various demands.

The RMG workers are demanding a two-day extension of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, while the auto-rickshaw drivers are demanding an end to extortion and police harassment.

The demonstrations today (20 March) began in the Hotapara area of Gazipur Sadar Upazila, where workers from Utah Fashion Ltd protested against the 10-day Eid holiday announced by their factory management.

The workers demanded a 12-day holiday. As their demands were not met, tensions escalated, leading to a road blockade by the workers at around 8:30am.

Upon receiving the news, army personnel and police intervened and dispersed the protesting workers. By 10am, traffic movement in the area resumed, confirmed Abdul Halim, officer-in-charge (OC) of Joydebpur Police Station.

Meanwhile, in Chandana intersection, CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers launched their protest against alleged extortion and police harassment at around 11am.

Protesters claimed that local extortionists, led by one Halim Molla, had been forcibly collecting Tk100 daily from each driver in the area. They also accused highway police of filing unjustified cases against auto-rickshaws.

The demonstration started at Chandana but later moved to Noljani in front of Bason Police Station, where protesters blocked the Joydebpur-Rajbari road too.

The blockade lasted about two and a half hours before police intervention led to its withdrawal and a restoration of traffic flow.

Regarding the incident, Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) SM Ashraful Islam said, "After assuring them of resolving the issues, the workers dispersed at around 12:30pm, and traffic movement returned to normal."

During the protest, two alleged extortionists, Ehsanul Haque, 25 and Md Saddam Hossain, 32, were apprehended by the drivers and handed over to the police.