Police have arrested 48 people in connection with two consecutive days of protests, clashes, arson and attacks on law enforcement in Mirpur, Dhaka, over garment workers’ demand for a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000.

Five cases have been filed over the incidents, with unidentified individuals named as accused, according to police.

Mirpur Division Deputy Commissioner of Police (DC) Hasan Mohammad Nasher Rikabdar disclosed the information on Monday. He said three cases had been filed with Pallabi Police Station, one with Mirpur Model Police Station and another with Kafrul Police Station. A total of 48 people have so far been arrested in connection with the cases.

Police said one case was filed over the vandalism of a traffic police box and an attack on police officers at the Mirpur-10 roundabout. Three other cases were filed over allegations of setting fire to a police vehicle, attacking police personnel, obstructing government duties and vandalising a traffic box in Mirpur-11.

The police filed the cases, naming unidentified individuals as accused. Another case was registered with Kafrul Police Station.

Fresh Gathering Attempts on Monday

Garment workers also attempted to gather in Mirpur on Monday morning.

At around 9:00am, a group of workers tried to march from the Mirpur-14 area towards the Mirpur-10 roundabout, but police stopped them.

At the same time, another group of workers gathered near the Mirpur-10 roundabout. Police later chased the protesters, dispersing the gathering.

According to police and local sources, workers from several garment factories in Mirpur-14 took to the streets in the morning and attempted to advance towards Mirpur-10. Police officers already stationed in the area blocked their march. When the workers tried to push past the police, officers chased them away.

Meanwhile, the gathering of another group near the Mirpur-10 roundabout briefly disrupted traffic. After police chased the protesters, they moved towards Mirpur-11, allowing traffic in the area to return to normal.

Sunday Clashes and Arson

On Sunday, garment workers staging a road blockade clashed with police. Protesters also set fire to a police vehicle during the confrontation.

Several garment factories’ workers began blocking roads and demonstrating near the Mirpur-10 roundabout at around 8:00am, disrupting traffic in the area.

The blockade also forced the entrance to Mirpur-10 Metro Rail Station to be closed.