23 detained over vandalism, setting factory on fire during Beximco, Doreen workers' protest in Gazipur
Investigations are underway to identify any innocent individuals among the detained and legal action will be taken against the actual culprits, Akbar Ali Khan, deputy commissioner (crime-north) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police says
Joint forces have detained 23 individuals accused of vandalising multiple factories and setting one ablaze during ready-made garment (RMG) workers' protest involving employees of Beximco Group and Doreen Group in the Gazipur's Kashimpur area.
They were detained from various areas of the city in a raid last night, and were handed over to Kashimpur Police Station today (19 November), said Akbar Ali Khan, deputy commissioner (crime-north) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police.
He said protesting workers from the two industrial groups "attacked local residents and set fire to a factory".
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"Investigations are underway to identify any innocent individuals among the detained and legal action will be taken against the actual culprits," the police deputy commissioner added.
Meanwhile, workers from the two groups today blocked the Chandra-Nabinagar highway in the Sarabo area, demanding overdue salary and immediate reopening of their factories.
According to industrial police and workers, at least 41,000 people work in the apparel and ceramic factories at the Beximco Industrial Park.
Their demand for the October salaries initially began with protests last Thursday (14 November). After a break on Friday, the protests resumed again on Saturday, escalating into a 10-hour highway blockade. Since then, the workers have been demonstrating by blocking the Chandra-Nabinagar highway every day.
Yesterday, they kept the highway blocked for 13 hours until 11pm, leaving thousands of commuters reeling in severe gridlocks on both sides.
Workers of three Doreen Group factories – Doreen Garments, Doreen Apparels, and Doreen Washing Plant – demonstrating on the highway near Zirani Bazar said their factories were closed yesterday without any notice. They said they will not withdraw their protest until the factories, which employ over 5,000 workers, are reopened.
Their demands also include rehiring more than 100 workers who were sacked.
