Labour unrest: More than 1,500 sued in 9 cases over RMG factory attacks in Ashulia

Over 1,500 people were sued in nine cases filed over attacks, vandalism, and looting of various ready-made garment (RMG) factories amidst the ongoing labour unrest in Dhaka’s Ashulia industrial zone.

“At least 31 individuals have been named in these cases, along with over 1,500 unidentified suspects, including both outsiders and workers from the affected factories,” Ashulia Police Station Inspector Md Kamal Hossain told The Business Standard today (14 September).

“The factory authorities filed these cases with Ashulia Police Station between 5-12 September, alleging attacks, vandalism, and looting during this period,” he added.

The most recent case was filed on 12 September by Jahangir Alam, assistant manager (administration) of Yagi Bangladesh Garments Ltd. The case named around 150-200 unidentified individuals as suspects, the inspector said.

According to the case statement, around 200 outsiders attacked Yagi Bangladesh Garments on 5 September morning. The attackers broke the main gate, entered the factory, and engaged in vandalism and looting. When the factory’s security guards and other officials tried to stop the attackers, they were beaten and injured.

The attackers then allegedly fled with laptops, monitors, CCTV cameras, and other valuables. Upon receiving the news, police and BGB patrol teams arrived at the scene, but the attackers had already fled.

However, Ashulia Industrial Police-1 Superintendent of Police Md Sarwar Alam said he was unaware of these cases being filed.

He advised contacting Ashulia Police Station for information.