Police vehicle set on fire as three metro rail stations shut in Mirpur

A police vehicle was reportedly set on fire during clashes between garment workers and police in the Mirpur area of the capital.

Meanwhile, authorities have suspended metro rail services at three stations following the clashes.

Train services at Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi stations have remained suspended since the clashes broke out around noon on Sunday (1 November).

Mohammad Mohsin Sheikh, an inspector with the operations division of the MRT Police, confirmed the development.

Police said a vehicle belonging to the force was set on fire in the Mirpur-11 area during the clashes.

Two Fire Service units were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the blaze, duty officer Hamidur Rahman said.

Garment workers have been demonstrating for several days, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 in the garment sector, an end to the blacklisting of workers and the reinstatement of those who have been dismissed.

On Sunday, workers blocked roads and staged protests in Mirpur in the capital and Gazipur. Clashes broke out repeatedly between police and workers in Mirpur as officers attempted to clear the roads.

On Saturday, workers also staged demonstrations and blocked roads in Mirpur, Savar and Gazipur. Incidents of vandalism were reported at several factories and shopping centres. At least 15 people, including police personnel, were injured in the violence.