Police-workers' clashes leave 40 injured near secretariat

A workers’ march towards the Secretariat demanding unpaid wages before Eid was disrupted by police intervention, leading to a violent clash that left around 40 workers and police personnel injured.  

The incident occurred on Tuesday (March 25) around noon near the Link road between the National Press Club and Secretariat.  

For the past three days, garment workers have been staging a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Labour. On Monday, they blocked the road near Nayapaltan, and on Tuesday, they attempted to march from the Labour Building towards the Secretariat.  

Police initially tried to stop the workers near Bijoynagar, but they continued moving forward. As they attempted to enter Topkhana Road after crossing Paltan, police intervened again, triggering the clash.  

As per their pre-announced program, garment workers gathered in front of the Labour Building at 10:00 AM. By 10:45 AM, they began their march towards the Secretariat. However, by 11:15 AM, they encountered police resistance on Topkhana Road.  

As tensions escalated, the police attempted to disperse the workers. In response, the workers threw bricks and stones at the police, intensifying the situation.  

During the clash, enraged workers vandalized a police vehicle. To control the situation, the police fired sound grenades and tear gas shells, causing panic among the workers, who then dispersed. Later, they regrouped in front of the Labour Building.  

Raju Ahmed, General Secretary of the Textile Workers Federation, stated that around 30 to 35 workers were injured during the clash with the police near the Secretariat.  

Following the altercation, Ruhul Amin, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweaters Workers Union, announced that the movement would continue until their demands were met. He warned that if wages and bonuses were not paid, they would lay siege to the Chief Advisor’s office on Eid day.  

Hundreds of workers from factories including TNZ Apparels, Apparel Plus Eco Limited, Roar Fashion, Style Craft Garments, and Dard Composite Textile Limited participated in the protest.  

Inspector Sardar Bulbul Ahmed of Shahbagh Police Station reported that five police officers were injured in the workers’ attack and are receiving treatment at Rajarbagh Police Lines Hospital. Among them, officer Fazle Rabbi sustained severe injuries.  

Inspector Md. Asaduzzaman of Shahbagh Police Station stated that workers were prevented from entering Secretariat Road as per regulations. When they threw bricks and stones at the police, officers responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.  

Officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, Md. Khalid Monsur, noted that despite being at a distance from the police barricade, workers initiated the attack by throwing bricks and stones, injuring several officers. He assured that the situation was brought under control quickly, and the protesters eventually dispersed.