N’ganj situation improves, factories resume operation

NARAYANGANJ, Nov 03: Narayanganj-2 MP Nazrul Islam Azad's intervention helped end a workers' blockade on the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road on Monday, with industrial activities returning to normal on Tuesday amid heightened security across the district.

Azad, BNP Dhaka Divisional Joint Organising Secretary, visited different areas of Fatullah on Tuesday afternoon with Deputy Commissioner Md Raihan Kabir, Superintendent of Police Md Habibur Rahman and Narayanganj Development Authority Chairman Mashukul Islam Rajib to assess the situation. Local BNP leaders and activists also accompanied them.

The visit followed Monday's demonstrations by garment workers demanding wage increases, which disrupted traffic on the busy link road and raised concerns over possible unrest in the industrial areas.

At around 4:00pm on Monday, Azad reached the protest site at Shibu Market with leaders and activists of the BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and Sramik Dal. The deputy commissioner and superintendent of police also joined efforts to resolve the standoff.

Azad spoke directly with the protesting workers and assured them that their demands would be addressed through discussions. He said the Prime Minister was supportive of the people and urged workers not to be misled or provoked by any quarter.

Deputy Commissioner Md Raihan Kabir also assured the workers that their legitimate demands would be communicated to the government. Following the assurances, the protesters withdrew the blockade, which had continued for around three and a half hours and caused traffic tailbacks stretching nearly eight kilometres.

On Tuesday, industrial activities resumed normally, with workers joining their workplaces in the BSCIC industrial area of Fatullah. Operations at the Adamjee Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Siddhirganj also continued without disruption.

Meanwhile, members of the Special Response Battalion (SRB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police remained on alert at key locations to prevent fresh unrest. Five platoons of BGB personnel were deployed as part of the security arrangements.

The deputy commissioner said the district administration and police were closely monitoring the situation. Three BGB platoons were being kept in reserve, while two were deployed for patrol, he added.

The superintendent of police said law enforcement agencies stood with ordinary workers and would not tolerate attempts by vested groups to provoke unrest.

The authorities are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure uninterrupted industrial activities and public movement across the district.