Protests by ready-made garment workers in Gazipur turned violent on Monday, leading to clashes with locals and arson attack to a factory. At least five people were injured in the confrontation.
The unrest began in the Panishail area of Gazipur after workers of Doreen Fashion Limited found their factory closed indefinitely upon arriving for work.
A notice announcing the closure had been posted outside the factory, sparking protests. Workers demanded the factory reopen and took up positions on the Chandra-Nabinagar road, blocking traffic.
Simultaneously, workers from the nearby Beximco factory were also protesting over separate grievances.
Around 11:30am, a scuffle broke out between the two groups of workers, escalating into a clash. At least five people were injured and were treated at a local clinic.
Amid the chaos, agitated workers entered the Panishail and Kaltasuti areas, clashing with locals.
A three-way confrontation ensued between workers from both factories and local residents, marked by chase and counter-chase.
During the turmoil, a group of workers set fire to Amazon Knitwear, a factory in the East Kaltasuti area. Firefighters from the Kashimpur Fire Department dispatched two units to the scene. “Efforts are underway to extinguish the fire, with the army assisting at the site,” said Abdullah Al Arefin, Deputy Director of the Gazipur Fire Department.
Kashimpur Police Station Sub-Inspector Md Hanif reported that local efforts were being made to control the blaze as fire services had not reached the spot even after an hour of the incident.
The situation remains tense in the area as authorities work to restore order and assess the damages.