Staff Reporter:
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Joint Commissioner (acting) of Crime Prevention (North) Md Mahidul Islam yesterday said more than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mirpur to maintain law and order amid protests by garment workers.
Speaking to journalists about the overall situation, Mahidul said conditions were currently normal, workers had not been able to take to the streets, and several factories had resumed production.
Police have been deployed in key areas, including Mirpur-1, Mirpur-10 Pallabi, Rupnagar, Mirpur-12 and Kafrul.
Members of the Special Response Battalion (SRB), Armed Police Battalion (APBN), Detective Branch (DB), Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) and other intelligence agencies are also assisting.
Mahidul said several people had been arrested and cases filed over road blockades, vandalism, damage to state property and public disruption.
He added that those found innocent were being released and police were taking precautions to prevent harassment of workers and pedestrians.
Blaming an unnamed group for instigating workers and engaging in destructive activities, Mahidul said those involved in sabotage, factory arson and vehicle vandalism would be brought to justice.
About workers’ wage demands, he said a wage board had been formed and initiatives were underway to improve workers’ benefits.
