Tensions escalated in Gazipur on Wednesday as workers of the Beximco Industrial Park protested on the Chandra-Nabinagar highway, demanding the reopening of 16 closed factories. The protest turned violent, resulting in the vandalism of over 50 vehicles, the torching of three buses and a truck, and arson at a factory building.
The workers initiated their protest at 3:00pm near the Mouza Mill area, blocking the highway and disrupting traffic. Agitated workers set fire to vehicles stranded on the highway and attacked journalists who were covering the incident.
Among those injured were Jahangir Alam, Gazipur correspondent for Deepto TV; Shah Jalal, camera journalist for ATN News; Amir Hossain Riyel, camera journalist for BanglaVision; and Abu Sayeed, a reporter for Dainik Pratidiner Bangladesh. The journalists received treatment at local clinics and pharmacies.
The protests stemmed from the closure of 16 factories within Beximco Industrial Park, which employed over 42,000 workers. The closures, announced on December 15, were attributed to a lack of purchase orders and defaulted bank loans, making it financially unfeasible to keep the factories operational. Workers have been demanding the reopening of the factories, citing the dire impact on their livelihoods.
The unrest began with a mass rally on Tuesday at the Sun City field in Sreepur, where workers called for immediate action. As part of their planned protests, they returned to the streets the following day, blocking the Chandra-Nabinagar highway.
During the protest, workers reportedly vandalized over 50 vehicles, including private cars, buses, and trucks. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as protesters threw bricks and stones, shattered windows, and used burning logs to block the highway. At one point, protesters set fire to a goods-laden truck and three buses, intensifying the disruption.
A faction of the protesters also targeted a five-story factory building belonging to "Grameen Fabrics" in the Tetui Bari area, setting fire to its ground floor. Fire service officials dispatched five units to control the blaze, which was still being extinguished as of 8:00pm.
Journalists covering the events became targets of the unrest. Protesters attacked Journalists Jahangir Alam, Shah Jalal, Amir Hossain, and Abu Sayeed, damaging their equipment and motorcycles. Media organizations and press freedom advocates have condemned the attacks, calling for accountability.
Law enforcement agencies attempted to disperse the protesters and restore order. Senior Assistant Police Superintendent Abu Taleb of Gazipur Industrial Police-2 said: "We are trying to persuade the workers to leave the highway and restore traffic." However, the situation escalated, prompting police to use tear gas and rubber bullets. By 7:45 PM, traffic flow on the highway had resumed.
As workers vacated the highway, some moved to the Tetui Bari area and set fire to the "Grameen Fabrics" factory. Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, which caused significant damage to the building. Senior Station Officer Pranab Chowdhury of the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) Fire Service confirmed that the fire had been deliberately set.
Tariqul Islam, the public relations officer of Beximco Industrial Park, expressed regret over the violence and condemned the attacks on journalists and the destruction of public property. The government has yet to announce any immediate measures to address the workers’ demands or prevent further unrest.
The unrest highlights growing tensions between factory workers and management in Bangladesh’s industrial sector, particularly during economic downturns. The closure of Beximco's factories has placed thousands of families in financial uncertainty, leading to mounting frustration among workers.
The authorities are continuing investigations into the incidents, and additional security forces have been deployed to prevent further violence.
