Rumours behind unrest at CEPZ: CMP
CMP Deputy Commissioner Rais Uddin urged the public to remain vigilant against rumours
A destabilising situation is being created in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) due to the spread of "deliberate rumorus", according to Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP).
Speaking at a press conference today (25 January), CMP Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations) Rais Uddin alleged that certain "malicious groups" and outsiders are actively involved in fueling the unrest.
The press conference was organised to address the events of Wednesday (22 January) night, when workers from several factories clashed with law enforcement agencies over rumours that some individuals were being detained in an under-construction building at CEPZ.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Deputy Commissioner Rais Uddin said, "Recently, certain ill-motivated groups have been intentionally spreading rumours about minor incidents to provoke workers of various factories and create instability in the EPZ. Outsiders are also joining these efforts."
According to the CMP, the incident began when three children entered an under-construction building on Road 2 of the CEPZ to search for scrap iron on Wednesday night. False rumours quickly spread among factory workers that the children had been tied up and slaughtered. This misinformation caused significant tension among the workers.
The workers then vandalised the BEPZA office and the under-construction building. Clashes erupted with law enforcement agencies, and the protesters blocked Airport Road, continuing their demonstration until midnight.
The situation de-escalated after law enforcement officials presented the three children to the protesters. During the unrest, three BEPZA officials sustained injuries.
However, the unrest persisted as some workers resumed their protests the following day. To address the issue, the CMP again presented the three children, aged between 10 and 14, during a press briefing.
Deputy Commissioner Rais Uddin urged the public to remain vigilant against the spread of rumours.
He said, "This situation has been orchestrated through a well-planned campaign of misinformation. The rumours about children being slaughtered are entirely baseless. Workers, whose livelihoods depend on these factories, would not engage in such acts.
"Anti-national and anti-state groups are deliberately spreading these rumours to destabilise the garment sector. If this continues, it will deter foreign investment and harm the country's economy."
