Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
In connection with the Beximco Group workers’ protest—marked by vandalized vehicles, arson, and attacks on police—5,000 individuals have been accused in two cases, bringing the total number of cases to three.
As of Saturday afternoon, police have arrested 37 individuals in these cases.
The police have not disclosed the identities of those arrested.
Kashimpur police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saiful Islam confirmed this information.
He said that on Wednesday, workers of the Beximco Industrial Park staged a protest on the Chandra-Nabinagar road, demanding the reopening of 16 closed factories.
During the protest, they vandalized over 50 vehicles, set fire to three buses and one truck, and attacked the local Grameen Fabrics and Fashion Limited factory, causing damage and starting fires.
On Thursday, Tariqul Islam, the administrative manager of Grameen Fabrics, filed a case on behalf of the factory.
Bus owner Habibullah Akand reported that his bus was set on fire during the protest.
He filed a case accusing 200 to 300 unidentified individuals.
Police arrested three individuals in connection with his case on Friday.
Meanwhile, Rafiqul Islam, a sub-inspector (SI) of the Gazipur Industrial Police, filed a case against 4,000 to 5,000 unidentified individuals for attacking the police and obstructing their duties.
According to sources, the Beximco Industrial Park in the Sarabo area of Gazipur Metropolitan City comprises 16 factories employing approximately 42,000 workers, staff, and officials.
For several months, the workers have not been paid their wages regularly.
In response to the overdue payments, the workers staged multiple protests and road blockades.
Eventually, the government intervened by providing loans to partially settle the workers’ unpaid wages.
