At least 50 people were injured as workers of two readymade garment factories in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone clashed on Saturday morning.
According to police and factory workers, JMS garment factory workers staged a protest on Wednesday to press for their demands.
During the demonstration, they blocked a gate in the EPZ area. Merim Co Ltd, another factory located adjacent to JMS, was affected by the blockade. This led to an altercation between workers of the two factories on the same day.
The tension escalated into a violent clash on Saturday morning.
The injured included Mohibul, 26, Farida, Elias, 34, Bidyut, 30, Sheuli, 24, Chanchal, 28, Monowara, 33, and others. Many of them were admitted to BEPZA Hospital and Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Tuhin Shuvra Das, an on-duty doctor at the CMCH, said, 鈥楢bout 50 workers from the CEPZ have received treatment after noon. Two individuals sustained fractures to the arms and legs, and none of the injured are in critical condition.鈥�
Ramiz Uddin, a garment worker receiving treatment at the CMCH, said, 鈥極n Wednesday, workers from both the factories staged demonstrations demanding pay increases. Merim Co Ltd鈥檚 management later accepted their workers鈥� demands, leading to their withdrawal from the protest. JMS workers, however, launched an unprovoked attack on Merim Co Ltd workers this morning.鈥�
Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, officer-in-charge of the EPZ police station, said, 鈥楾he clash began over a dispute regarding access to the main factory gate during the protests. Workers from one factory started hurling bricks at workers of the other factory.鈥�
The situation is now under control, and army personnel are present at the scene, the OC said.
Executive director of Chattogram Export Processing Zone, Md Abdus Sobhan, said, 鈥楾he misunderstanding between JMS and Merim Co Ltd workers led to a minor scuffle. The situation is now calm. Both factories announced leave for a day to diffuse the tension.鈥�