Two workers hospitalised with rubber bullet injuries in Ashulia, police deny

Alamgir Hossain and Rafia Begum, two garment workers of Starling Style factory, have been injured in a clash with police during protests by garment workers demanding an increase in the minimum wage in Ashulia industrial area of Dhaka. The industrial area has become heated again over the movement of garment workers.

Authorities of Ashulia Women and Children Hospital claimed that the two injured workers have rubber bullet injuries on their bodies. However, industrial police claimed they did not fire any rubber bullets.

According to concerned sources, workers joined work at almost all factories in the industrial area at the scheduled time on Tuesday morning (November 10). However, workers of several factories observed a work stoppage to realise their demands. They started protest by blocking the road in Jamgara area of Baipail-Abdullahpur road around 10:30am.

At that time when police tried to remove the workers from the road by persuading them, they hurled brickbats targeting the police. This led to clashes and chase-counterchase between the two sides. Later police dispersed the workers by firing tear gas and sound grenades.

Manager (Operation) of Ashulia Women and Children Hospital Harun Or Rashid said two garment workers came to the hospital with injuries on the head and body. Both of them had rubber bullet injuries on their bodies.

He further said Rafia Begum was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as she had an injury on the head. And Alamgir left the hospital after receiving primary treatment.

Legal Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Garments and Sweaters Workers Trade Union Centre Khairul Mamun Mintu said several factories of Newage Group in Nischintapur area of Ashulia were declared closed under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act on November 9 due to worker unrest.

He said when workers protested in front of the factories of Newage Group on Tuesday morning, holidays were declared at several nearby factories. Later when the workers blocked the Baipail-Abdullahpur road, police fired tear gas and sound grenades.

Mintu further said several workers told him that police fired shots targeting them. They also claimed that several workers were hit by bullets.

However, industrial police claimed that only tear gas and sound grenades were fired targeting the workers. No bullets or rubber bullets were fired.

Superintendent of Police of Ashulia Industrial Police-1 Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan said when the garment workers came down to the road in Jamgara area in the morning, police tried to remove them by persuading. At that time the workers hurled brickbats targeting the police. Police fired tear gas and sound grenades to bring the situation under control. Holidays have been declared at several factories in this incident.

He said the situation in Jamgara is now normal. However, workers are gathering in Jirabo area.

When asked about the two workers receiving treatment in hospital with rubber bullet injuries, the police superintendent said they did not use any rubber bullets. These are propaganda of the Awami League. Industrial police do not have such weapons.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ashulia Police Station Mohammad Torikul Islam said they have confirmed the matter of two workers being injured. However, they may have been injured by the impact of bricks or any other object. He confirmed that no rubber bullets were fired from the side of the police.