Army and police clash with garment workers in Kochukhet; two vehicles set on fire

In Dhaka’s Mirpur No. 14 area on Thursday, a violent clash erupted between thousands of protesting garment workers and law enforcement. The protest began around 8 a.m. when workers took to the streets to oppose recent layoffs and the closure of a local garment factory. As police and army personnel attempted to disperse the demonstrators, tensions escalated, leading some protesters to throw bricks and vandalize property. By 10 a.m., the situation had intensified, with protesters setting fire to an army vehicle and a police van. Law enforcement responded with lathi charges to control the situation. According to Shah Mohammad Faisal, the Officer-in-Charge of Bhashantech Police Station, the violence was sparked by the workers’ sudden aggression, though authorities have since regained partial control. The unrest also disrupted traffic in the Kochukhet area for about two hours.