Factory torched, vehicles vandilized during Gazipur workers' protest

A violent protest erupted at Sarabo area in in Gazipur's Kashimpur upazila on Wednesday, where workers of Beximco Industrial Park demanded the reopening of 16 closed factories. 

During the unrest, over 50 vehicles were vandalized, and a truck, three buses, and a factory were set on fire. Three journalists were also injured while covering the incident.  

The workers began their demonstration on the Chandra-Nabinagar highway, causing significant traffic disruptions on both sides. The roadblock left commuters and drivers stranded for hours. The situation escalated when protesters set fire to several vehicles.

Law enforcement officials intervened, firing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd, eventually restoring traffic flow by 7:45 PM.  

During the chaos, an agitated group of workers targeted the Grameen Fabrics factory in Tetui Bari, setting fire to the ground floor of its five-story building. Firefighters from five units rushed to the scene and were still working to control the blaze as of 8:00 PM.  

The protests followed a public assembly on Tuesday, where workers demanded the reopening of the 16 factories closed in December 2024. The factories, owned by Salman F. Rahman, an advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were reportedly shut down due to a lack of purchase orders and loan defaults. 

Eyewitnesses reported that a faction of the workers obstructed the highway, burning tree trunks to intensify their demonstration. 

During the protest, three journalists--Jahangir Alam of Deepto TV, Abu Sayeed of Protidiner Bangladesh, and Amir Hossain of Bangla Vision-- were injured and a motorcycle belonging to the journalists was also vandilized.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md. Abu Taleb confirmed that the situation was brought under control, and traffic resumed on the highway. However, he noted the extensive damage caused by the unrest, with numerous vehicles vandalized and several set ablaze.