Police suspect banned Awami League activists behind workers’ protests

Police suspect that activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations have become involved in violence during ongoing garment workers’ protests demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000.

According to a report, several activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League have been detained over alleged involvement in attempts to create unrest during the movement.

Social media posts by several people holding positions in the Chhatra League have also drawn attention. Among them is Sajibul Islam, organising secretary of the Jagannath University unit of the organisation, who shared photographs and videos related to the protests on Facebook.

In a post published at 2:17 PM on Sunday, Sajibul wrote: “The Bangladesh Awami League will not come to power by relying on anyone. We will announce programmes with the strength of the people.”

He had shared a video 51 minutes before that post and another at 12:51 PM. An earlier post, published at 10:06 AM, said workers had continued their protests for the fourth consecutive day, demanding an increase in the minimum wage to Tk 30,000.

On Saturday at 6:24 PM, he also shared a video showing a fire, accompanied by slogans demanding a Tk 30,000 wage.

Workers have been protesting for four days, initially over their wage demands. However, allegations of political involvement have emerged as the movement continued.

People carrying sticks and locally made weapons were reportedly seen at different locations, while incidents of vandalism were also reported in the name of the movement.

On Saturday morning, clashes broke out between protesters and police in Mirpur, Dhaka. Three metro rail stations — Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi — temporarily suspended train services following the clashes. A police vehicle was also set on fire in the area.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies detained 11 people holding positions in the Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League over alleged involvement in sabotage during the protests.

In Gazipur's Kaliakair, workers resumed demonstrations on Sunday morning, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. They blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway and set fire to objects on the road. Banks, vehicles and shops were also vandalised, disrupting traffic on both sides of the highway.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel were deployed to help bring the situation under control.

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