Agitated garment workers vandalized a vehicle of the Rapid Action Battalion and attempted to set it on fire during a clash between them and security forces in Ashulia on Sunday evening, also hurling bricks and stones at an army vehicle.
The incident occurred when different forces, including the army, RAB and police, were trying to control the situation during protests over unpaid wages.
At around 6:30pm, workers from Euphoria Apparels Limited, a garment factory located in the Jamgora Shimultala area, took to the streets, blocking the road in protest.
Police later dispersed the crowd.
Earlier, on Saturday morning, the workers had reported to work as usual.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the workers were supposed to receive their salary in their bank accounts on Sunday.
Although other allowances were deposited in their accounts by noon, the absence of their main salaries fuelled their anger.
The factory management assured them that the salaries would be credited by the evening. However, by 6pm, when they had not yet received a notification, the workers dragged the factory's accountant down and began protesting.
At that time, an army patrol passing by attempted to calm the workers. However, the workers blocked the road and began protesting in front of the factory. When law enforcement tried to clear the road, clashes erupted between the workers and security forces.
Later, the situation was brought under control by a joint effort from RAB, the army and the police.
Major Jalis Mahmud Khan, company commander of RAB-4 CPC-2, said: "We were trying to calm the situation and bring it under control. We were coordinating with the joint force. However, in the afternoon, the situation deteriorated further… We tried to disperse the workers, but they became agitated. In the end, we were able to manage the situation."
"Some troublemakers vandalized a RAB vehicle and attempted to set it on fire. However, we managed to extinguish the fire. They also threw bricks at an army vehicle."
Commenting on the unrest in the garment sector, the RAB official said the agency was working to identify those involved in destabilizing the garment sector.
“The garment sector is extremely important for Bangladesh, and we will make every effort to keep it operational,” he said, adding that several RAB personnel had sustained minor injuries during the incident.
