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Published : 02 Sep 2025, 02:31 PM
A worker has been killed and at least 50 other people have been injured after a clash with law enforcers during a protest against the closure of a factory at the Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Nilphamari.
The clash sparked during a demonstration by workers at the Evergreen Factory in the EPZ area at 8am on Tuesday.
The dead man has been identified as Habibur Rahman, a worker at a knitting factory called Ecu International. He hailed from Sangalshi Union in Nilphamari’s Sadar Upazila.
Five others critically injured in the violence have been admitted to Nilphamari General Hospital.
Dr Tanvirul Islam, a medical officer at the hospital, said: “Six people in total were brought here. Habib was dead when he got here. The rest are receiving treatment at the hospital.”
Law enforcers have taken control of the EPZ area, but the Nilphamari-Syedpur Road remains blocked. The local administration and police officials have also sat for meetings with the owners of the EPZ factories.
Lt Col SM Badruddoza, commander of the Nilphamari 56 BGB, said: “Currently, the situation is under control. There is no chance of a mob being formed. Discussions are under way at the administrative level. All factories at the EPZ are closed for now.”
Workers at a wig factory named Evergreen Products Factory BD Limited had been protesting to press home a list of demands for several days. The workers say that on Monday, the company authorities announced the factory’s closure.
In response, the workers took up positions outside the EPZ’s main gate on Tuesday morning. They also allegedly barred workers from other factories from going to work.
When law enforcers came to try and handle the situation, a clash broke out. At one point, law enforcers opened fire, injuring Habib and several others. A doctor declared him dead once he was taken to the hospital.
Mominur Rahman, a worker at the EPZ, said: “We did not prevent any workers from other factories from entering. Rather, they stood with us in solidarity."
“We peacefully took up positions in front of the main gate. At one point, the Army and police personnel began inhumanely beating a female worker. When we moved forward, they started shooting at us indiscriminately.”
Another worker, Md Raihan, said: “Why did the law enforcing agencies attack our peaceful protest? We did not join the protest with any political demands. We are protesting for our rights.”
Lipi Akhter, another worker, said: “We went to work. When I got there, I saw the gate was closed. Suddenly, the Army and police attacked us. With whose permission did they open fire on us? One of our brothers was killed. Who will take responsibility for this? The government must give us an answer.”
MR Sayeed, chief of Nilphamari Sadar Police Station, was not available for comment on the workers’ remarks.
bdnews24.com was unable to immediately obtain a statement on the matter from the factory or EPZ authorities.
