Police have arrested 19 people, including three labour leaders, in connection with violence during garment workers’ protests in Savar, Ashulia and Narayanganj, while cases have been filed against more than 3,800 unidentified people.
The cases were filed over allegations of factory vandalism, attacks on workers and police, and damage to vehicles amid protests demanding higher wages and an end to blacklisting.
In Savar and Ashulia, three cases have been filed, accusing more than 2,300 unidentified people. Another case is being prepared over the burning of the vehicle of the officer-in-charge (OC) of Savar Model Police Station and the assault on him.
Police said 13 people had been arrested in connection with the incidents in Savar and Ashulia.
Three labour leaders detained in Ashulia
The Dhaka District North Detective Branch (DB) detained three labour leaders on allegations of instigating garment workers and assisting destructive activities in the industrial areas of Savar and Ashulia.
The detainees are Mohammad Shamim, 48, acting general secretary of the Bangladesh National Trade Union; Abdul Halim, 37, general secretary of the Ashulia thana committee of the National Garment Workers Federation; and Mansur Ali, 46, assistant organising secretary of the Bangladesh Textile Garment Workers Federation.
DB Officer-in-Charge Saidul Islam on Wednesday said they were detained during raids in the Jirabo and Sonia Market areas of Ashulia on Tuesday evening.
He said the operation was conducted based on specific information about their alleged involvement in instigating workers and creating instability through destructive activities.
The three were later handed over to Ashulia Police Station for legal action.
Several labour organisations, including the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, have protested against the arrests and demanded their release.
They said arrests, attacks and lawsuits would not resolve the crisis and could further provoke workers. Instead, they called for dialogue with workers and their representatives.
Ashulia Police Station OC Mohammad Tarikul Islam said two cases had been filed by factory authorities over separate incidents, accusing between 800 and 1,000 unidentified people.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the cases.
Savar Model Police Station OC Saiful Alam said a case had been filed over vandalism at a factory and assaults on workers, accusing between 1,200 and 1,300 unidentified people. Six people have been arrested.
Another case was filed over the burning of a bus parked beside a road in the Tetuljhora area, accusing 60 to 70 unidentified people. Three people have been arrested in this connection.
Police claimed that members of Awami League, whose political activities are now banned, were behind the bus arson.
Saiful Alam also said preparations are underway to file another case over the burning of a police vehicle at Padmar Mor in Tetuljhora on Wednesday and the assault that left him and other police personnel injured.
1,500 accused in Narayanganj case, six arrested
In a separate development, police have filed a case over violence during garment workers’ protests demanding higher wages in Fatullah, Narayanganj.
The case, filed by Sub-Inspector Milon Fakir on Tuesday night, names 21 individuals and accuses another 1,000 to 1,500 unidentified people.
Police arrested six people and produced them before a court on Wednesday afternoon, seeking seven days of remand for each.
The arrested individuals are Shamim Hasan, 28; Mohammad Mamun, 26; Mohammad Omar Faruk, 38; Iman Emon, 26; Shahin Ahmed; and Atikur Rahman, 25.
Sub-Inspector Shamim of Fatullah Model Police Station, the investigation officer in the case, confirmed the arrests.
Among the 21 named accused are Azmat Ali, a Jubo League leader from the Katherpool area of Fatullah; Mostafa Kamal, vice-president of Fatullah thana Awami League; executive committee member Mojibor; former Narayanganj district Chhatra League vice-president Tipu Sultan; Mofazzal Hossain Chunnu; Rakib Hossain; Wasim; Ratan; Mohammad Rakib; and Chhatra League leaders Sohag and Selim.
Joni, identified as a vice-president of the Fatullah thana unit of Projonmo League, and several others have also been named in the case.
According to the police complaint, workers from several factories, including Abir Fashion, Palmal Garments, Micro Fiber, Metro Garments, Time Sweater and Modern Garments, gathered around 2:30pm on 3 November at Shibu Market in Fatullah.
They allegedly blocked the road from Shibu Market to Fatullah Stadium along the Chashara-Signboard Link Road.
The complaint alleges that leaders and activists of the banned Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League instigated workers under the banner of wage-increase demands to carry out anti-government activities, attempt to topple the government and destabilise the country.
It further alleges that police constables Naim and Sagar were injured in brick attacks and that the windows of several vehicles, including those belonging to Utsab and Bandhan Paribahan, were vandalised.
To bring the situation under control, police and industrial police personnel fired 83 rounds of tear gas on the instructions of an executive magistrate.
According to the complaint, the rounds were fired by police personnel from Fatullah, Narayanganj district police, industrial police and officers serving in Munshiganj.
The unrest in Savar, Ashulia and Fatullah has continued for several days, with garment workers staging demonstrations, work stoppages and clashes over demands including higher minimum wages and an end to blacklisting.
Several factories have declared general holidays amid the unrest, while additional law enforcement personnel have been deployed in the industrial areas to maintain order.
