Ashulia, Sep 30 (V7N) – At least 30 workers were injured, including two who were shot, during a violent clash between factory workers and law enforcement personnel in the Jirabo area of ​​Tongi-Ashulia-EPZ Road on Monday. The altercation also resulted in the vandalization of at least five law enforcement vehicles.

The confrontation began around noon in front of Mandal Group, where a tripartite meeting between factory owners, workers' representatives, and law enforcement was being held. The meeting aimed to address worker grievances, but when no resolution was reached, tensions escalated as workers took to the streets outside the factory. Soon, workers from other factories joined the protest, intensifying the situation.

As law enforcement tried to control the crowd, the workers reportedly began vandalizing Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police vehicles. In response, law enforcement initiated a lathi charge to disperse the protesters. The situation worsened when police opened fire, injuring two workers identified as Habib, an employee of Natural Denims, and Nazmul Hasan, an employee of Natural Indigo Factory. Both were shot in the legs and rushed to the local PMK Hospital for treatment.

One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, described the incident: "We were working in our factory in the morning. However, when workers from Mandal Group started protesting, some of us went in solidarity. During the confrontation, law enforcement charged us, and later opened fire. Two of our fellow workers were hit."

PMK Hospital's Admin Manager, Nazim Uddin, confirmed that four injured workers were admitted to the hospital, two of whom had gunshot wounds. "Their treatment is ongoing," he said.

Sabuj Howladar, HR Admin of Natural Denims, mentioned that workers from his factory had been peacefully working until they were alerted to a rumor that a worker from Mandal Garments had died, prompting them to join the protest.

Repeated attempts to reach Superintendent of Police Sarwar Alam of Shilpa Police-1 for comment were unsuccessful.

The situation remains tense in the area as authorities continue to monitor the aftermath of the clash.

END/SS/AJ