A labour leader was killed and two others were injured in an attack by miscreants in Gazipur’s Satai area on Sunday night.
The deceased was identified as Shahidul Islam Shahid, 50, president (Gazipur district branch) of Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation.
Gacha police station Inspector (investigation) of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Nandalal Chowdhury confirmed the matter to The Business Post.
Two more injured labour leaders are Mustafa Kamal, 26, and Ahmed Sharif, 35. The police could not reveal their details.
Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (Gazipur city) President Shafiqul Islam said that the garment workers of Prince Jacquard Sweater Ltd in Tongi have been demanding the payment of the outstanding salary and Eid bonus for the last two months.
On June 21, the workers staged a demonstration demanding their outstanding dues. In response to the demands, the factory authorities sent them a notice on Sunday setting a date for settlement of their debts.
According to the notice, the workers waited at the factory gate from Sunday morning to collect their dues. However, even though it was evening the factory authorities did not take the initiative to pay the workers.
Later, the workers resumed their protest around 6:30pm. They sought the cooperation of labour leader Shahidul and two other leaders to speak on behalf of the aggrieved workers. When the labour leaders came out of the factory, some miscreants attacked them.
Shahidul and two others were seriously injured in the attack. After they were rescued and taken to the Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College & Hospital, the on-duty doctor declared Shahidul dead at 11:30pm.
Nandalal Chowdhury, Inspector (Investigation) of Gacha Police Station of Gazipur Metropolitan Police GMP said that
“On receiving the information, we reached the hospital and found the body of Shahidul and two injured. Legal action is under process,” Inspector Nandalal said.
