A factory worker was killed and 25 others were injured as law enforcers allegedly opened fire on workers during a clash between the law enforcers and the workers who were protesting against layoffs and factory closure at the Uttara Export Processing Zone in Nilphamari on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Habib Islam, 32, a worker of a knitting factory -- Ecu International -- in the EPZ.
Confirming the matter, Nilphamari superintendent of police Tarikh Hossain Khan said that one person was killed in a clash, adding that 20 to 25 people were injured.
The situation came under control, said the police super.
The clash was sparked during a demonstration by workers of Evergreen Factory on Tuesday morning in the EPZ area, where around 32,000 workers are employed in some 18 factories, Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nayeruzaman said.
Habibur鈥檚 elder brother Ashiqur Rahman said that Habibur had been shot when he was coming out of the EPZ compound in the morning after finishing his night shift duty.
The Police said that unrest had been going on after Evergreen Factory had recently laid off 51 workers.
Uttara EPZ executive director Md Abdul Jabbar Khan told 抖阴精品 that all the factories in the EPZ were kept open except Evergreen Factory on Tuesday.
鈥楬owever, when the workers of the factory reached the EPZ gate, they started a sit-in at the gate, creating congestion. Then authorities of other factories declared a holiday to avert any untoward situation,鈥� he added.
Replying to whether the factories would reopen or not today, he said that only the unrest-hit factory would remain closed, but other factories in the EPZ would remain operational.
After Evergreen Factory workers found the gate locked in the morning, the workers blocked the Nilphamari鈥揝aidpur highway.
Police and army personnel rushed to the spot and tried to disperse them.
At one stage, the workers got locked into clashes with the law enforcers and the law enforcers opened fire, leaving dozens injured during the confrontation.
The injured were taken to Nilphamari General Hospital.
Emergency unit physician Farhan Tanvirul Islam said that one of the injured was brought to the hospital dead.
鈥楬e had a small wound on his chest. The exact cause of the death can be confirmed after the post- mortem,鈥� he added.
EPZ worker Mominur Rahman said that they peacefully stood in front of the main gate and workers from other factories also stood with them in solidarity.聽 鈥榃e were demonstrating peacefully. But why did law enforcers attack our peaceful demonstration?鈥� another worker Md Raihan posed the question.
They were protesting to have their rights, he added.