Ready-made garment workers in Ashulia protested on Monday over the alleged abduction and assault of a fellow worker by supporters of a Bangladesh Nationalist Party-backed chairman candidate in upcoming local elections.
They alleged that the accused were relatives and supporters of Abdul Gafur Mia, general secretary of the Ashulia unit of the BNP and a BNP-backed candidate for chairman of the local union council.
The workers, joined by leaders and activists of several labour organisations, formed a human chain and held a protest march at Baipail bus stand at about 3:30 pm, demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.
Labour leaders said garment worker Shajahan was severely beaten at about 9:30 pm on Sunday in the Bhadaile area of Ashulia after he joined the campaign of Esrafil Hossain, an independent candidate for chairman of Ashulia Union Parishad.
Shajahan, a supervisor at Express Clothing Company Ltd in the Dhaka Export Processing Zone, is receiving treatment at Dhamrai Health Complex, they said.
The leaders accused Mohammad Sharif, Arif Munsi, Hiron Mia, and Qurban Ali, along with two to three unidentified people, of involvement in the attack.
‘It is deeply concerning that a garment worker was assaulted for supporting his preferred political candidate. The administration must identify and arrest those involved and take legal action,’ said Mohammad Faridul Islam, president of National Garments Workers Unity.
Gafur denied any involvement in the attack.
Esrafil said the incident was undermining a level playing field and alleged that the BNP-backed candidate was using his influence to intimidate voters supporting rival candidates.
Ashulia police station officer-in-charge Tarikul Islam said police had received a complaint and would take action following an investigation.
