Clashes between police and garment workers erupted in Mirpur for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, disrupting traffic and prompting the temporary closure of Mirpur-11 metro station.
The clashes began around 10:15am when police intervened to prevent workers from blocking the road in the Mirpur-11 area, eyewitnesses said.
Workers intermittently emerged from side streets and hurled bricks and stones at police, who responded by firing tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse them. The confrontation triggered repeated chases and counter-chases, leaving the area tense and traffic at a standstill.
Earlier in the morning, garment workers had left their factories and gathered outside their workplaces, with groups assembling along nearby side streets.
Yusuf Ahmed, a local resident and eyewitness, told Bangla Tribune that male and female workers from several factories between Mirpur-10 and Mirpur-11 had gathered outside their workplaces.
“Looking at the situation, it seems they could take to the main road at any moment,” he said.
Police remained on high alert as the situation developed.
Hafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Mirpur police station, said the situation in Mirpur-10 was normal.
“We remain on high alert, and any attempt to cause disorder will be met with strict action,” he said.
Garment workers have been protesting for some time, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000. The protests turned violent on Sunday, when workers set fire to a police vehicle and clashed with law enforcement personnel.
Workers attempted to take to the streets again on Monday but were prevented from doing so by police.
According to a police source, around six people were arrested on Monday in connection with the unrest. Eleven cases have been filed over the clashes of the past two days, with more than 10,000 people named as accused.