Road Blockade by Garment Workers, Finally Buses Left for Dhaka

About 6 hours later, the garment workers lifted the blockade from the Modern Junction in Rangpur after the police arranged BRTC double-decker buses for them to reach Dhaka.

Hundreds of garment workers from Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Dinajpur have gathered at the modern intersection of Rangpur metropolis since early morning on Saturday (July 31), after the announcement of opening of industrial factories from Sunday (August 1). But as there was no vehicle to reach Dhaka from Modern Junction, they set up a roadblock from 9 am. Due to the blockade on the way to Dhaka, all types of vehicles on the highway were stopped immediately. They demanded to make arrangements to go to Dhaka by any means.

The workers complained that the garment authorities had informed them by text message that they would not have a job if they could not join at the specified time. Despite hundreds of attempts by the army, BGB and police to normalize the situation, thousands of workers could not be persuaded. When the police finally arranged for the workers to travel on double-decker BRTC bus, they lifted the blockade by 3:30 pm.

Rangpur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Crime) Abu Maruf Hossain said the government had noticed the urgence of garment workers for reaching Dhaka due to the opening of garments. The workers formed a blockade from the morning. "We have contacted the higher authorities of the government and arranged for them to board the double-decker BRTC," he said. They then lifted the blockade. Now the situation is normal.