A security guard was killed in a bus accident on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Gazipur's Targach area on Saturday night, sparking outrage among locals who set four buses on fire.
The deceased, Monnaf Ali, 50, was a resident of Jhenaidah Sadar and worked as a security guard at the Ananta Garments factory in Gazipur.
According to Sub-Inspector Mustafa Kamal of Gacha police station and witnesses, Monnaf Ali was hit by a Dhaka-bound Ajmeri Paribahan bus around 8pm while crossing the highway after finishing his shift.
Critically injured, he was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries en route.
Hearing about his death, enraged locals and factory workers set the offending bus on fire. The crowd then torched three additional buses belonging to Ajmeri Paribahan, further escalating the situation.
The incident disrupted traffic on both sides of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, leading to long tailbacks.
Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Ibrahim Khan said that agitated workers and locals blocked the highway, exacerbating the situation.
Deputy Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service Mohammad Mamun said that two fire service units from Tongi tried to extinguish the fires, but they were attacked by the crowd, preventing them from working.
Meanwhile, a separate case was filed following an incident at Mahmud Jeans Limited in Kaliakair, where workers protested against unpaid wages.
Factory authorities had earlier promised to clear all dues by November 28, but a notice on Thursday announced a delay, leading to worker unrest.
Protests escalated as workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway and clashed with law enforcement.
Deputy Managing Director (DMD) Rafi Mahmud was assaulted by angry workers before being rescued by police around 8:30pm.
Mahmud later filed a case at Kaliakair police station, naming 18 individuals and accusing 500 unidentified people. Seven suspects have been arrested and were sent to court on Saturday.
