Authorities at more than 200 garment factories in Savar and Ashulia have declared holidays amid worker unrest and clashes, citing concerns over workers' safety and the overall situation in the industrial areas.
Industrial Police-1 Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan confirmed the closures over the phone at around 7:30pm on Wednesday.
He said more than 200 factories in Savar and Ashulia had announced holidays in response to the situation.
Earlier, at around 7pm, Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Shamima Parveen said unidentified troublemakers were attempting to create instability by exploiting the workers' presence, alleging that most of them were members of banned organisations.
She said the troublemakers initially attacked garment factories in Hemayetpur, prompting workers to leave the premises in panic. She claimed that genuine workers were not involved in the day's incidents.
Shamima said police had detained one person from Hemayetpur with a crude bomb, alleging that he had detonated an explosive device. Another person was detained over the torching of a police vehicle.
She added that police had used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse people after attempts to destabilise the situation through road blockades, vandalism and arson.
