Factory workers lay siege to Adabor Police Station over alleged extortion-linked attack
At the time, two workers were reportedly assaulted with sharp weapons and sustained injuries, according to factory officials
Workers of an embroidery factory laid a siege to Adabor Police Station in Dhaka late on Saturday night (21 February), demanding justice over an alleged attack that left two factory workers injured after the owner reportedly refused to pay extortion money.
The protest began around 11pm, when a group of workers gathered in front of the police station, chanting slogans and calling for action against those responsible. As of 12:30am, they were still outside the station.
Apurba Das, inspector (operations) of Adabor Police Station, said there had been an altercation between a local youth named Rasel and the factory workers.
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"The workers came to the police station demanding justice and chanted slogans. We spoke to them and assured them that the matter will be looked into," he told The Business Standard.
When asked about allegations that two workers were hacked and injured, the police official said they were investigating.
Earlier in the evening, the factory located on Road 17 in Adabor, owned by Mostafizur Raihan Zahir, general secretary of the Embroidery Owners' Association, was allegedly attacked by a group of local youths.
According to Mostafizur's nephew Maruf Hasan Sumon, the youth Rasel, also known as "Kala Rasel", had demanded money ahead of Eid. When the demand was refused, he allegedly led 8-10 other people and attacked the factory around 7pm.
At the time, two workers were reportedly assaulted with sharp weapons and sustained injuries, Sumon said.
