RMG workers on Saturday blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and vandalised vehicles following the death of a fellow worker in a road accident at the Mill Gate area in Tongi.
The agitation left at least 10 pedestrians and workers injured as police charged with batons and fired tear-gas shells and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
Witnesses said Sharmin Akter, 30, a worker of Top to Bottom Fashion Limited, was hit by a BRTC bus at the Teestar Gate area while crossing the road. She was rushed to Tongi Hospital in critical condition and was later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. She died on her way to the DMCH.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (media) of Gazipur Industrial Police Shamsur Rahman said the injured RMG worker died around 11:45pm.
Officer-in-Charge of Gazipur Industrial Police Manik Mia told the Dhaka Tribune; at least 2,000 agitated garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway after news of the incident spread.
They vandalised at least 50 vehicles, the OC said, adding that a clash between law enforcers and agitated workers broke out at the Munno Nagar area as police tried to disperse the workers.
Vehicular movement remained suspended for two hours and the road was cleared around 10:30am when police took the situation under control by firing tear-gas shells and rubber bullets, he added.
Additional law enforcers were also deployed at the area to avert further untoward incidents, the OC said.
Tongi police station Sub-Inspector Moniruzzaman said three RMG factories were closed for the day.
It is alleged that most BRTC bus drivers, of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Gazipur, do not have driving licenses. Earlier, traffic police seized many buses and captured drivers for not having driving licenses in the district.