No workers injured by police firing during Gazipur protests: Police

Gazipur district police have dismissed reports of workers being injured or killed by police firing during the ongoing garment workers’ protests, describing the claims as false and fabricated.

In a press release issued on Monday evening (November 2), Gazipur Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jasim Uddin urged workers and the public not to be misled by rumours circulating on social media and other platforms.

According to the statement, garment workers have been demonstrating in several areas of Kaliakair upazila, including Mouchak, Safipur, Palli Bidyut and Chandra, demanding higher wages and other benefits.

Police said they were maintaining restraint and professionalism to prevent criminal groups from exploiting the protests to carry out violence, vandalism and damage to public and state property.

The statement alleged that certain individuals and groups were spreading misinformation about workers and students being injured or killed by police firing to provoke protesters against law enforcement agencies.

Police maintained that no shots had been fired by them during the labour protests and no protesters had been injured or killed by police gunfire.

The statement also said the government had formed a wage board to address workers’ demands for increased wages and benefits. It urged workers to avoid violence, arson and vandalism and return to their respective workplaces, while assuring them of police support for lawful and peaceful demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) reported incidents of violence during Monday’s protests in the metropolitan area.

In a separate press release signed by GMP Commissioner Md Israil Howlader, the police said a section of workers attempting to block a highway over wage demands triggered tensions and clashes among workers of a garment factory.

During the incident, miscreants vandalised two police vehicles and set fire to another in the Naojor area, leaving a district police member slightly injured.

The statement said no casualties were reported in the Sripur Metropolitan Police area. GMP also urged residents not to circulate unverified reports about attacks on police and casualties. An investigation is underway to identify those involved in the violence.

Separately, the Kaliakair upazila administration issued a warning to landlords against sheltering outsiders and members of criminal groups amid the unrest.

A public notice signed by Kaliakair Municipality Administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer AHM Fakhrul Hossain on Monday instructed landlords to inform the local police station or upazila administration if tenants shelter outsiders who are not members of their families or if suspected members of criminal groups rent accommodation.

The notice warned that landlords could be held responsible if they concealed relevant information or if any untoward incident occurred as a result of sheltering outsiders.

Several industrial areas in Gazipur have witnessed protests over wage increases in recent days, with incidents of clashes, vandalism and arson. Law enforcement agencies remain on alert to maintain order.