Police on Monday foiled garment workers from taking to the streets in Mirpur as they continued demonstrations demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000.
Protesters attempted to take to the streets twice but were dispersed on both occasions, police said.
Abu Naser Rikabdar, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Mirpur Division, said workers attempted to stage a demonstration in the area in the morning, but police dispersed them peacefully.
In another incident, police fired tear gas shells in the Mirpur-2 area to disperse workers attempting to gather there.
Around 11am, workers from several garment factories in Shewrapara and Purabi area of Mirpur-6 tried to gather in Mirpur-10 area via Mirpur-2. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse them.
Earlier, around 9am, garment workers gathered in Mirpur-14 area and attempted to march towards Mirpur-10 roundabout. Police chased them, forcing them to disperse and return to their respective factories.
Rikabdar said several cases had been filed over the torching and vandalism of police vehicles during the protests, adding that more cases would follow.
He said 19 people had been arrested by Sunday evening, while the total number of arrests rose to 48 by Monday noon.
DMP Joint Commissioner (Crime and Prevention-North) Md Mahidul Islam, who was present at the scene, said there might be individuals with hidden motives among those attempting to block roads, violate the law and disrupt public order.
“Whoever they are, those who disobey the law, violate it or attempt to undermine law and order are criminals in our eyes. We are trying to bring them under the law,” he said.
Asked whether the identities of those arrested had been established, he said police did not differentiate between offenders based on identity.
“Those who violate the law and attempt to endanger public safety, damage state property or cause losses to public assets are criminals in our eyes. We are trying to bring them under the law,” he added.
