Dhaka-Tangail highway resumes traffic after six-hour blockade

Traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail highway returned to normal at around 8pm on Saturday after a nearly six-hour disruption caused by garment workers protesting for a minimum monthly salary of Tk30,000 and clashing with police in Gazipur.

Workers from several factories in and around Safipur, Pallibidyut and Harinhati in Kaliakair upazila began blocking the highway at noon, demanding higher wages.

Tensions escalated in the afternoon as police repeatedly asked the protesters to clear the road, but the workers refused. Police then chased the demonstrators, who retaliated by throwing bricks and stones at law enforcers.

Protesters also set fires on the road and vandalised vehicles. Police fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowds and bring the situation under control.

The blockade brought traffic to a standstill along a roughly 15-kilometre stretch of the highway, causing long tailbacks on both sides and leaving thousands of passengers and transport workers stranded.

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Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Mohammad Amzad Hossain said at least 20 factories between Chandra and Konabari declared holidays following the unrest.

Additional police personnel were deployed at several points along the highway to restore order and protect lives and property, he said.

Police also used sound grenades in an effort to disperse the agitated workers, while officers continued trying to persuade them to end the blockade and restore normal conditions.

Traffic on the highway finally returned to normal at around 8pm, Amzad Hossain added.