Meanwhile, workers blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Hemayetpur and Fulbaria, disrupting traffic for nearly an hour before movement resumed around 10:30am.
Protesting garment workers set fire to the vehicle of officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station in Hemayetpur’s Padma Mor area Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Photo: Collected
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Protesting garment workers set fire to the vehicle of officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station in Hemayetpur’s Padma Mor area Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Photo: Collected
Garment workers clashed with police in Savar’s Hemayetpur today (4 November), leaving Saiful Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Savar Model Police Station, critically injured, while protesters set fire to his vehicle amid ongoing unrest over demands for a higher minimum wage.
The incident took place in the Padma Mor area in the morning during clashes and chases and counter-chases between police and protesting workers.
Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Shamima Parveen told The Business Standard that around 30,000 to 40,000 workers had gathered from both sides of Padma Mor and attacked police, prompting them to resist.
“Some 30,000 to 40,000 workers gathered from both sides of Padma Mor in the morning and attacked police. Police resisted the attack. During the clashes, protesters set fire to the vehicle of the Savar Model Police Station OC, while the officer was critically injured in the attack,” she said.
Meanwhile, workers blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Hemayetpur and Fulbaria, disrupting traffic for nearly an hour before movement resumed around 10:30am.
Protesting workers gathered at Padma Mor in the morning, as they had the previous day, and attempted to move towards the highway. Police initially dispersed them by firing several rounds of tear gas in two phases.
Although workers scattered following the police action, groups of protesters took positions in nearby alleys and roads before blocking the highway by dumping waste and setting it on fire.
Clashes continued for nearly an hour, with workers confronting members of law enforcement agencies. Police later advanced while firing tear gas shells and sound grenades, forcing protesters off the highway.
Following the incidents in Hemayetpur and Fulbaria, workers also attempted to block the highway in Ulail, Savar. They hurled brickbats at Al-Muslim and nearby garment factories before police chased and dispersed them.
Eyewitnesses said BNP leaders and activists, along with those of its associate organisations, were also seen at the scene alongside police.
Tension also prevailed at several points along the Baipail-Abdullahpur road in Ashulia, including Narsinghapur.
After 10am, police dispersed groups of workers who gathered at different points and attempted to block the road.
Intermittent chases, counter-chases and clashes between workers and police were later reported in Jamgora and Nischintapur.
Three platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in the Savar industrial zone amid the unrest.
BGB personnel remain on high alert alongside police at various points, including Hemayetpur.
Executive magistrates from the district and upazila administrations are also on duty at different locations across the industrial zone.
At 8:35am, eight factories in the Padma Mor and Hemayetpur areas sent their workers home, while two others suspended operations.
The eight factories are Civil Engineers Woven Ltd, Civil Engineers Wash Ltd, Shamsh Styling Wear Ltd, Rupkatha Apparels Ltd, Padma Cans Ltd, Babylon Casual Wear Ltd, Aboni Knitwear Ltd and Jeans Manufacture Ltd.
The two factories that suspended operations are Maxcom International BD Ltd and Pioneer Apparels Ltd.
Meanwhile, three media workers were reportedly attacked and beaten by protesters while performing their professional duties in the Padma Mor area of Hemayetpur this morning.
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