Workers protest again in Bangladesh; one shot dead

A worker was shot dead in a clash between law enforcers and workers at Ashulia in Savar. Two other workers were also injured in the incident. The incident took place in the Tongabari area of Ashulia on Monday afternoon.

The deceased was identified as Kawsar Hossain Khan, a sewing operator of Mango Tex Limited in the Tongabari area. The injured were Rasel Mia and Nayan, workers of two other garment factories.

According to police, workers, and eyewitnesses, workers of several garment factories, including Mango Tex Limited, demonstrated in the Tongabari area since morning, demanding payment of arrears and reopening of closed factories. Around noon, the agitated workers blocked the road and tried vandalizing the factory. At that time, the law enforcers in charge there miked them to move away. However, the workers did not listen to them, and traffic stopped on the road. The agitated workers vandalized some of the law enforcement vehicles. At that time, the clash between the two sides started chasing counter-chase. The workers hurled brickbats and injured several members of the joint force. Law enforcers fired rubber bullets and several rounds of bullets to bring the situation under control. The injured were identified as Kawsar Hossain Khan, Rasel Mia, and Nayan of Mango Tex Limited. Later, they were taken to Enam Medical College and Hospital in Savar, where doctors declared Kawsar dead. The other two workers are being treated at the hospital. There is extreme tension in the area over the incident. However, the workers could not say who shot them.

Enam Medical College and Hospital’s duty manager Enamul said the worker died of bullet injuries.

Meanwhile, workers of Birds Garments have blocked the Nabinagar-Chandra Highway in Ashulia since morning, demanding wages in arrears. The incident has caused severe traffic congestion on the highway.

Ashulia Industrial Police Superintendent Sarwar Alam said they would talk about the death of the worker later.