Factory closed in Gazipur as protesting workers clash with police

Police say the situation is under control, with discussions with the workers ongoing

Factory workers and police have clashed surrounding a protest at a factory in Gazipur’s Konabari.

Workers of Jamuna Denims Ltd blocked a road on Saturday morning as part of a demonstration, triggering clashes with the force.

Later, police dispersed the protesters using sound grenades and tear gas shells.

The factory authorities declared the factory closed indefinitely afterwards, police said.

Concerned sources and police said the workers participated in the protest outside the factory from 6am to 9am.

The workers had been pressing for several demands for a while. Although the factory accepted previous ones, the workers raised fresh demands on Saturday.

The situation became tense when the authorities gave leave to the workers who had entered the factory around 9am and drove them out.

At one point, a section of the workers blocked the road, leading to the clash.

Police claimed protesters threw bricks and stones at them, forcing them to use tear gas shells and sound grenades to bring the situation under control.

The workers then dispersed, spreading into adjacent roads around Keya Cosmetics Ltd, police said.

An industrial police constable was injured by a brick during the clash, while no information was given on worker injuries, according to police.

Since the factory has been declared closed amid deteriorating conditions, additional police personnel have been deployed, with intelligence surveillance strengthened in the area.

Konabari Police chief Mohammad Jalal Uddin Mahmud said the situation is now under control, and talks with workers are ongoing.