Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan and Dhaka-18 lawmaker Jahangir Hossain were allegedly assaulted during a clash between cleaners and local residents in the capital’s Uttarkhan on Sunday.
Around 20 people were injured in the incident, and three individuals were detained.
DNCC Public Relations Officer Md Zakir Hossain confirmed the details in a message to the media, stating that the incident occurred at noon in the Rajabari Secondary Transfer Station (STS) area of Ward 46, under the city corporation’s Zone-8.
DNCC authorities have held the management of Neptune Accessories Garments responsible for the debacle. At least 15 to 20 cleaners sustained injuries, with four in critical condition currently admitted to the Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in Uttara.
According to a DNCC statement, the assault took place when the administrator and MP visited the site alongside the local police station’s officer-in-charge and other personnel to inspect the area.
During the visit, associates of the garment factory owners reportedly behaved rudely towards the officials, causing tensions to escalate. This culminated in an unprovoked attack on Shafiqul and Jahangir by the garment owner’s party.
Mirza Tareq Ahmed Baig, deputy commissioner (Uttara Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), stated that the attackers threw bricks and stones, leading to the injuries of several cleaners who were subsequently rescued and sent to the hospital.
He confirmed that three people, including one from the garment ownership, were detained during a police operation conducted after the situation was brought under control.
DNCC is currently preparing to file a case in connection with the incident. Deputy Commissioner Baig noted that once the case is filed, the detainees will be formally shown as arrested.
Efforts by the TIMES of Bangladesh to obtain a statement from Neptune Garments regarding these allegations were unsuccessful, as calls to the phone numbers provided on the company’s website went unanswered.
