Security has been tightened across Gazipur's industrial belt following recent workers' unrest over demands for a higher minimum wage, with 25 platoons of law enforcement personnel deployed under the supervision of 25 executive magistrates.
Workers began returning to their duties at various garment factories on Sunday morning. No fresh incidents of protests or road blockades had been reported in the industrial areas as of 8:30am. However, authorities have declared a holiday at six garment factories as a precautionary measure.
Arif Hossain, assistant commissioner of the Media and Research Cell at the Gazipur Deputy Commissioner's Office, confirmed the information on Sunday morning.
He said 13 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), five platoons of Ansar and eight platoons of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) had been deployed to maintain law and order. The forces are operating under the supervision of 25 executive magistrates.
Arif added that law enforcement agencies remained on high alert to prevent damage to public and private property or disruption to public life. BGB personnel had already begun operations, while other units remained on standby.
Earlier, garment workers in different parts of Gazipur staged protests and blocked the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways, demanding an increase in the minimum wage.
During the unrest, incidents of arson were reported at police outposts, police vehicles and factory warehouses. Several clashes also broke out between protesters and law enforcement personnel, leaving workers and members of the security forces injured. Several people were detained in connection with the incidents.
Following the unrest, a number of garment factories in Gazipur announced holidays.
Meanwhile, a worker named Taufiq died after being beaten while recording the protests on his mobile phone.
