Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern over the shooting death of a garment worker named Kausar Hossain Khan and the shooting of at least 30 workers, including four others, in Ashulia, Dhaka.
Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Parwar expressed this concern in a statement on Tuesday (October 1).
In the statement, he said, ‘On the morning of Monday, September 30, a tripartite meeting was held with the representatives of the workers of the Mandal Group, the owners and the law enforcement agencies. As there was no agreement, the workers took a stand outside the factory. Later workers from other factories started gathering there. At this time, the law enforcement forces and the workers took a face-to-face position. The members of law and order forces started lathicharge. The workers vandalized some RAB and police vehicles. Later, when the workers became more agitated, the police opened fire to control the situation. During this time, five workers were shot and at least 30 other workers were injured. Five people with bullet injuries were rescued and admitted to the local PMK Hospital and Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar. After admission, the doctor on duty declared Kausar Hossain Khan dead. I am deeply concerned about this incident. At the same time, I pray for the forgiveness of the soul of the deceased Kausar Hossain Khan and express my deepest condolences to his family and the injured.
He also said that in the changing situation of the country, this incident of worker’s death is not desirable in any way. The people of the country hope that after the historic revolution, no more citizens will die without justice. I urge the law enforcement agencies to deal with such incidents with more patience and tolerance and refrain from firing.
He said, if the industry survives, the country will survive and the wheels of the country’s economy will continue to function. I appeal to both employers and workers to take the country forward on the path of prosperity by working unitedly to protect the interests of the workers and resolve any situation arising through dialogue. At the same time, I am calling for proper investigation of the incident of this deceased and taking legal action against the culprits.
