Police have cleared the roads in Mirpur and restored normal traffic after garment workers staged demonstrations and blocked roads since morning. Sound grenades and whistles were used to disperse the protesters. However, no one was arrested or beaten, according to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

DMP Joint Commissioner Mahidul Islam told reporters on Sunday (November 1) after workers were removed from the roads in Mirpur.

He said a wage board had been formed to determine workers’ wages and that the matter would now be addressed through the board. Police had tried to explain the situation to the workers, but they refused to leave the roads. He added that police suspected anti-government or anti-state groups might have joined the movement to deteriorate the law and order situation.

Mahidul Islam said the roads were cleared with a sufficient number of police personnel and officers to reduce public suffering. Sound grenades were used to disperse the protesters, but no baton charge was carried out. No one was arrested, and no police personnel were injured.

Asked about allegations that journalists were obstructed from performing their professional duties and that their mobile phones were taken away, he said police were focused on controlling the situation while clearing the roads. If anyone’s mobile phone had been taken, steps would be taken to recover it. He also promised an investigation and appropriate action if any journalist had been mistreated.

He further said the situation on the roads was now normal and police remained alert to maintain law and order.

Earlier, garment workers blocked roads and staged demonstrations in Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-12 and surrounding areas from Sunday morning, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. The protests brought traffic in the area to a standstill.

At one point, clashes broke out between police and workers as officers attempted to remove them from the roads. A police vehicle was also set on fire in Mirpur-11.

Workers had staged similar road blockades and demonstrations in different parts of Mirpur on Saturday, pressing the same demand.