ছবি: Photo: Collected
Violence broke out in Gazipur on Saturday night when garment workers set fire to two buses and vandalized several others in retaliation for the death of a security guard who was run over by a bus. The incident occurred at around 8:00 PM on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in the Taragach area of Gacha, following a fatal accident involving a bus of Azmeri Paribahan.
The victim, identified as Munna (55), a security guard at the Ananta Garments factory, was reportedly helping workers cross the busy highway after the factory’s evening shift had ended. He was holding a red flag to signal oncoming traffic when an Azmeri Paribahan bus, traveling toward Dhaka, struck him. Munna died instantly at the scene.
The tragic incident quickly sparked outrage among the factory workers, who witnessed the accident. In their fury, the workers set the bus on fire and also targeted another vehicle, setting it ablaze as well. The protest escalated as workers began to block the highway, attacking and vandalizing several other buses from Azmeri Paribahan that were passing through the area.
The violent protests caused significant disruption on the highway, which is one of the busiest routes connecting Dhaka to the northern regions. Workers could be seen smashing windows and damaging the buses, further intensifying the chaos. Firefighters were called to the scene to extinguish the flames, but they were obstructed by the angry workers, who prevented them from reaching the burning vehicles.
In response to the unrest, police forces were deployed to the area to restore order. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gacha Police Station, Ali Mohammad Rashed, confirmed the deployment of law enforcement personnel to control the situation. He added that efforts were underway to clear the workers from the highway, but the protests continued into the night.
“The body of the deceased has been sent to the morgue for post-mortem, and legal proceedings are in motion,” OC Rashed stated. He also mentioned that the police were trying to ensure the safety of commuters and restore normalcy on the highway. However, at the time of reporting, the situation remained tense, with many buses still unable to pass through the area.
The unrest highlights the ongoing tension between garment workers and transportation services in Gazipur, a key industrial hub near Dhaka. Workers have long complained about unsafe working conditions and poor treatment by transportation services, leading to frequent protests and clashes.
The death of Munna has further fueled anger among workers, who have demanded better safety measures on the roads, especially for those working in the garment sector. It is not uncommon for workers to face dangerous conditions while traveling to and from their factories, with many reporting incidents of reckless driving and poor road safety.
The incident also reflects the broader issues of labor rights and workers' safety in Bangladesh’s garment industry, which is one of the largest in the world. Despite the sector’s significant contribution to the country’s economy, workers often face hazardous working conditions, including long hours, low wages, and lack of safety measures.
Labor unions and rights groups have repeatedly called for better regulations and enforcement of safety laws, especially on the roads and in factories. However, progress has been slow, and incidents like this continue to highlight the gap between the government, factory owners, and workers' rights.
As the situation unfolds, authorities are likely to face mounting pressure to address the workers' grievances and prevent further violence. The workers are demanding justice for the death of their colleague and stronger measures to ensure road safety for everyone in the area.
With the highway still blocked and many workers involved in the protest, it remains to be seen how quickly the situation will be brought under control. Authorities are expected to take swift action in the coming hours to restore peace and prevent further escalation of the unrest.
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