Trading at the popular Khatunganj wholesale market in Chittagong port city has been suspended since Wednesday morning, with workers embarking on a strike in the wake of the death of a worker in an attack by a driver.
Md Masud, a laborer who was stabbed by miscreants, died while receiving treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on Wednesday.
Nurul Alam, Officer-In-charge of CMCH police outpost confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
He said that the injured labor Masud was rushed to the hospital with injuries last Monday. He died in the intensive care unit while undergoing treatment.
Dhaka TribuneFollowing the news of Masud's death, laborers at Khatunganj halted the loading-unloading of goods. Laborers have been demonstrating on the road since the morning, demanding justice for the tragedy.
Prior to this, they had a work stoppage from last Monday night till 8 p.m. last Tuesday night. As a result, the trading hub was effectively shut down. With the assurance of trade leaders, the protest was later called off.
Abdul Qadir, financial secretary of the greater Khatunganj Goods loading-unloading Labour Union said: “Md Masud had a dispute with a 22-year-old pickup driver called Md Russel on Monday afternoon.”
''Later that evening, a gang of people arrived and stabbed Masud. A case was filed at the Kotwali police station in this event, with Russell named as the main suspect.''
Abdul Qadir further said, labourer’s work stoppage was terminated on Tuesday evening with the assurance of the Khatunganj Trade Association. If Russel and the others involved are not detained within 48 hours, the protest will be resumed.
Md Mohiuddin, general secretary of the Chaktai-Khatunganj Wholesaler General Traders Welfare Association said: “When the injured worker died while undergoing treatment on Wednesday morning, the laborers went on work stoppage for a second time. The sale of Chaktai-Khatunganj has been cut in half.”
Traders in Khatunganj contribute 40 to 50 percent of all consumer goods transactions in the country. Domestically produced items, including industrial raw materials, are traded alongside consumer goods.
Around eight to ten thousand individuals are involved in the loading and unloading of merchandise here.
