Police have cleared roads in Mirpur after dispersing garment workers who had been blocking traffic and protesting since Sunday morning, restoring normal traffic in the area.
Md Mohidul Islam, joint commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), told journalists on Sunday afternoon that police used sound grenades and whistles to disperse the protesters.
He said a wage board had been formed to determine workers’ wages and that the issue would now be addressed through the board. Police had tried to explain this to the workers, but they refused to leave the roads.
The DMP official also alleged that some anti-government or anti-state groups had become involved in the protests in an attempt to worsen the law and order situation.
He said police deployed sufficient personnel and officers to clear the roads and reduce public suffering. Sound grenades were used during the operation, but there was no baton charge, no one was detained, and no police personnel were injured, he added.
Asked about allegations that journalists had been obstructed from performing their professional duties and that their mobile phones had been taken away, Mohidul said police were focused on clearing the area. He said efforts would be made to recover any phones taken and that allegations of misconduct against journalists would be investigated, with action taken if necessary.
He added that traffic had returned to normal and police remained on alert to maintain law and order.
Earlier on Sunday, garment workers blocked roads and staged protests in Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-12 and surrounding areas, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000. The demonstrations brought traffic in the area to a standstill.
Clashes broke out repeatedly when police attempted to remove the workers. A police vehicle was also set on fire in Mirpur-11.
Workers had staged similar road blockades and protests in different parts of Mirpur on Saturday over the same demand.