The workers' wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP) staged a protest on Tuesday, condemning the killing of a worker by joint forces at the Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Nilphamari.
The protest rally began in front of the NCP's temporary office in the capital's Banglamotor. They marched to the Hotel Intercontinental intersection before returning to Banglamotor.
Earlier in the day , violence erupted at the Nilphamari Uttara EPZ between protesting workers and joint forces, comprising military and police.
The clash took place around 9:00am after a factory named Evergreen announced indefinite closure without paying off workers' dues and hung a notice at the main gate.
One worker, Habibur Rahman (20), was shot dead. At least 10 others were injured. Habibur was from the Songolshi Union in Nilphamari Sadar and worked at Ventura Leather Manufacturing.
During the demonstration, participants chanted slogans including, "Workers of the world unite!"; "Why was my brother killed? We demand answers from the administration!"; "They buy bullets with our money, then shoot us with them!".
Leaders of the NCP and its workers' wing addressed the gathering.
Mazharul Islam Fakir, chief coordinator of the workers' wing, said, "We dreamed of building a new Bangladesh, where workers would have their rights, a safe work environment, and fair wages. But after the July movement, we witnessed the killing of three workers in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur by police.
"This is a matter of shame that the same military that played a vital role in the 2024 uprising has now killed one of our worker brothers," he added.
Riaz Morshed, NCP's Joint Chief Coordinator, said, "When workers stand up for legitimate rights, when they gather at factory gates, the military is unleashed on them. I believe this is part of a deep conspiracy to divide our patriotic armed forces.
"The majority of this country's production comes from workers and farmers. We want to build a state where workers and farmers are treated with full civic dignity. But the interim government and the military are not moving in that direction. That's why we believe the NCP, along with the people, will resist this conspiracy and establish a just democratic state, where no more workers will have to die like this," he continued.
Comments