A faction of the Rajshahi District Motor Workers’ Union has recaptured the union office after exploding cocktails, displaying firearms and local weapons, and carrying out widespread vandalism in the Shiroil Bus Terminal area this evening.
The rampage occurred between 4:30pm and 5:30pm on Thursday, leaving the area in a state of extreme tension.
Allegations have been received that the attack and takeover operation was carried out under the leadership of Rafiqul Islam Pakhi, convener of the Metropolitan Labour Party and acting general secretary of the District Motor Workers’ Union.
According to local and union sources, Pakhi was given charge as acting general secretary following the fall of the Awami League government in the student-public uprising, replacing the then general secretary Mahatab Hossain Chowdhury.
However, on Wednesday, several ordinary workers were humiliated by Pakhi’s followers over a trivial incident. In protest, angry workers surrounded Pakhi, padlocked the office, and demanded an early election.
In the aftermath of Wednesday’s incident, over a hundred workers opposing Pakhi took positions in the Shiroil area from Thursday noon. Meanwhile, Pakhi’s followers assembled in the Railgate area. Rods, pipes and local weapons were seen in the hands of both sides.
Around 4:30pm, about two hundred followers of Pakhi, including leaders and activists of BNP, Jubo Dal and the Labour Party, proceeded towards Shiroil in a procession.
Eyewitnesses said that when Pakhi’s followers reached the area, they exploded 5-6 cocktails, spreading panic throughout the locality. As rival workers retreated in the face of cocktails and armed demonstrations, Pakhi’s followers stormed the office and took control.
During the one-hour takeover operation, the group vandalised several nearby shops, broke windowpanes of buildings, and damaged several motorcycles. After the rampage, they returned towards the Railgate area.
Local residents alleged that although police were present at the scene throughout the incident, they did not actively intervene to control the situation, instead playing the role of silent spectators.
Following the incident, a tense and uneasy atmosphere prevails in and around the Shiroil Bus Terminal area. Additional police have been deployed to prevent any further untoward situation or renewed clashes.
