Two police vehicles vandalised in Uttara; cop's arm broken

At least 50 people, including 19 police personnel, were injured in clashes between garment workers and police in Uttara on Saturday as workers took to the streets for the fifth consecutive day, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 and payment of outstanding salaries.

During the confrontation, protesters vandalised two Industrial Police vehicles and allegedly beat an officer, breaking his arm, police said. Police later dispersed the demonstrators using sound grenades and water cannons.

The incident took place around 11:30AM near Rajlaxmi in Uttara, when garment workers attempted to block the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway.

Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Uttara Division, Md Rezaul Karim, said that workers from garment factories in the North Khan and South Khan areas began gathering at several locations around 10AM, including Kasaibari Rail Gate, Jamtala Rail Gate, Azampur Rail Gate and the Holy Lab intersection near Jasimuddin.

Around 11AM, the workers assembled on Road 13 in Sector 4 of Uttara, near Rajlaxmi, and attempted to block the eastern side of the highway.

Police intervened to prevent the blockade, prompting protesters to throw bricks and stones at officers, according to the deputy commissioner. Police responded with baton charges, sound grenades and water cannons in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

Rezaul Karim said two Industrial Police vehicles were vandalised and an Industrial Police officer was beaten and suffered a broken arm.

He added that police would file cases against those involved after reviewing CCTV footage.