19 policemen among 50 injured as RMG workers, law enforcers clash in Uttara

At least 50 people including 19 policemen were injured in a clash between police and garment workers at Rajlakshmi area in Uttara on Saturday morning, as the workers took to the streets for the fifth straight day demanding arrears and minimum salary of Tk30,000.

Among the injured policemen, one suffered a broken arm, while two police vehicles and a motorbike were vandalised.

Police ultimately managed to bring the situation under control by charging with batons, firing tear shells and water cannons, and lobbing sound grenades, said Uttara East Police Station Sub-Inspector Ruhina Akter.

Earlier, around 10am, workers from garment factories located in Uttarkhan and Dakkhinkhan areas began gathering at Kashaibari railgate, Jamtala railgate, Azampur railgate, and Jasimuddin Holy Lab Intersection.

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RMG workers leave Uttara road, traffic returns to normal

Around 11:30am, they tried to block a section of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Rajlakshmi area. Police intervened asking them to avoid causing movement restrictions. The agitated workers responded by attacking police with sticks and throwing brick chips.

Police responded by firing rubber bullets, water cannons, tear shells and by using other non-lethal means. The workers were forced to disperse soon after taking to the streets, and vehicular movement returned to normal level, police said.