Dhaka North administrator, Dhaka-18 MP attacked during inspection

Highlights

• Three people arrested following clash at STS
• Cleaning workers allegedly attacked earlier that morning
• Four workers admitted with serious injuries
• Administrator promises strict action against those responsible

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan and Dhaka-18 MP SM Jahangir Hossain were attacked while inspecting an incident involving cleaning workers at an STS in Uttarkhan's Rajabari area today (2 August).

According to a statement issued by DNCC, the incident occurred when the DNCC administrator, the MP, the officer-in-charge of the local police station and other police officials visited the secondary transfer station (STS) in ward no 46 under DNCC Zone 8 following an attack on cleaning workers earlier in the day.

The statement, signed by Md Zakir Hossain, DNCC's public relations officer, reads that people associated with Neptune Accessories misbehaved with the cleaning workers again when the officials arrived at the site, triggering tension.

It also said hired attackers associated with the garment company then launched a surprise attack on the DNCC administrator and the MP by pelting bricks and other objects at them.

Several people were injured in the attack, while police arrested three people, including one allegedly associated with the garment company management, according to the statement.

Police later conducted an operation after the situation returned to normal.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Mirza Tarek Ahmed Beg, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Uttara division, said cleaning workers of the city corporation were attacked when they went to work at the STS in Rajabari.

"Later, when the DNCC administrator and Dhaka-18 MP SM Jahangir Hossain went to inspect the site, bricks and other objects were thrown at them from the premises of Neptune Accessories Garments. I was also there at the time," he said.

"Later, we detained several people from the site. A case will be filed over the incident. Following verification, those found involved among the detainees will be shown arrested," the DMP official added.

The DNCC administrator and the MP subsequently visited Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital to see the injured cleaning workers and enquire about their treatment.

The administrator said strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for the incident.

Earlier in the morning, people associated with Neptune Accessories allegedly attacked cleaning workers at the DNCC STS in Rajabari, according to the statement.

Around 15-20 cleaning workers were injured, including four who sustained serious injuries. The four seriously injured workers were admitted to Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara.

Neptune Accessories management's comment on the allegations could not be obtained.