At least 30 people have been injured in a clash between readymade garment workers and police in Tongi Industrial Zone on Friday morning.
Witnesses said the workers of Jaber and Jubaer Fabrics took to the street around 7am in order to press-home their demands, including salary and festival bonus hike.
The agitated workers went on a rampage in the factory premises and set fire at the godown of the factory.
Later, they engaged in a series of chase and counter chase with the law enforcers as the police were trying to brought the situation under control.
Assistant Superintendent of Gazipur Industrial Police Abdul Khaleque said: “At least 15,000 workers have taken part in the agitation. They took position on Tongi-Pagar road, halting the vehicular movement for some two hours. Later, they locked in clashes with police as police were trying to disperse them from the road, leaving at least 30 workers injured.”
The police fired 20 rounds of tear cells and charged batons on the angry workers to bring the situation under control, said police.
Senior Station Officer of Tongi Fire Service and Civil Defence Selim Mia said: “The workers set fire at the godown around 9am. The firefighters doused the blaze at 11am. The extent of the damage could not be estimated right now.”
The situation is under control now and additional police have been deployed in the area, said Industrial police.
