An RMG worker died Monday during the ongoing protest, demanding a minimum basic salary of Tk 23,000, on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at Bhogra in Gazipur.
The deceased was identified as Russel Hawladar, 22, an electrician of Design Express Limited Company in Maleker Bari in the district and son of Hannan Hawladar of Jhalakathi district..
Protesting RMG workers said that Russel died in “police firing.” Police rejected the claim.
Workers from several garment factories in Gazipur on Monday blocked the highway for the seventh consecutive day, demanding salary hike.
They started their protest march in Gazipur's Chandra, Naojor, Noljani, Bhogra and Maleker Bari areas Monday morning.
Later, authorities concerned of Design Express Limited declared suspension of the production of the factory amid unrest, workers said.
On information, police rushed to the spot and fired rubber bullets and used tear gas shells to disperse the workers.
Md Ranju, a colleague of Russel, said, “Russel received bullet injuries while returning home from the factory.”
He was taken to Taiarunnesa Memorial Medical College and Hospital where the doctors referred him to Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital.
Dr Tarek Hasan, resident medical officer of Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital, said Russel was brought dead at the hospital.
The body was sent to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital morgue for autopsy, said Dr Tarek.
Abu Siddique, officer-in-charge of Bason Police Station, said the workers staged a demonstration and put up a barricade on the highway. They also torched a vehicle during the protest.
Police used tear gas shells and fired sound grenades to disperse them, he said.
At one point, the agitated workers of Columbia Factory set a pick-up van on fire on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Bhogra area, which disrupted traffic heavily in both directions, he added. Vehicular movement on the Dhaka-Tangail highway remained suspended.
Asked about the death of the worker in “police firing,” OC Abu Siddique said he was not aware of it.
On October 23, workers of several factories, including Logos Apparels, ATS and Bay-Footwear Ltd, started the protest demanding salary hike in Mouchak and Telirchala areas of Gazipur's Kaliakoir upazila.
15 injured in Savar
At least 15 workers of several readymade garment factories were injured in a clash with police at Hemayetpur in Savar on Monday.
Dipak Chandra Saha, officer-in-charge of Savar police Station, said workers attacked a number of garment factories at Padmar Intersection in Hemayetpur demanding a minimum basic salary of Tk 23,000.
On information, police rushed to the spot and used tear gas shells to disperse them, triggering a clash that left 15 workers injured.
A chase and counter chase took place during the clash.
A tense situation was prevailing in the area over the clash.
Additional police forces have been deployed in Savar and Ashulia garment factory areas to avert further violence.
