Senior police officials have alleged that “third-party” instigation and “domestic and foreign conspiracies” are behind the violence during garment workers’ protests in Savar and Ashulia.
They claimed that despite the government forming a wage board to address workers’ demands, certain groups were attempting to destabilise the industrial belt for reasons unrelated to labour grievances.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Dhaka Range Md Mostafizur Rahman and Dhaka Superintendent of Police (SP) Shamima Parveen made the remarks while speaking to journalists during a visit to assess the situation in the industrial areas around 4:00pm today.
The DIG said the wage board, formed the previous morning, had already begun its work, urging workers to return to their workplaces and assuring them of police protection.
“Their motives are different. Their purpose is not related to the labour sector. They have other objectives,” he said, adding that police had intelligence on those allegedly instigating unrest and would take strict legal action against anyone involved, irrespective of political affiliation.
Asked whether those arrested belonged to any party, he said their political affiliations and involvement were being verified.
DIG Mostafizur said police had “zero tolerance” for violence and attacks on law enforcement personnel.
SP Shamima said police were using CCTV footage, videos collected by journalists and intelligence to identify individuals who had participated in the protests “wearing helmets and masks”.
She alleged that outsiders had infiltrated groups of workers to carry out vandalism and destabilise the country.
“Those who are vandalising are never workers, because workers never vandalise their own organisations or garment factories,” she said.
She also said Dhaka district police had strengthened security across Savar, Ashulia, the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and Hemayetpur since this morning, following attempts to create unrest the previous day.
The SP claimed police vigilance had prevented attacks on factories.
Police were coordinating with industrial police, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and factory owners’ associations to ensure security. Factory owners had been urged to keep their establishments open, she said.
The police official added that many factories remained operational and that preventive measures based on advance intelligence had helped avert a wider disruption.
Several people have been arrested, although police could not immediately confirm the total number.
Dhaka district police, industrial police, Ashulia Police Station and Savar Model Police Station were conducting separate operations, with consolidated figures expected by the evening, SP Shamima added.
She said factories that remained closed had declared holidays on their own initiative, not because of inadequate security.
Responding to allegations that outsiders were preventing workers from joining work, she urged them not to be misled by instigators.
“This is your livelihood. Return to work and carry on with your jobs. It is our responsibility to ensure your security,” she said.
Source: www.thedailystar.net
