DHAKA: At least 20 garment workers were injured in a tripartite clash among police, workers and a group of people loyal to the factory owners in Pukurpar area of Ashulia, outskirt of the city, on Tuesday.

Ashulia Industrial Police-1 director Mostafizur Rahman told banglanews that about seven hundred workers of Mahabub Apparels Sweater Factory went on work abstention and staged demonstration on Monday, demanding the increase of their wages.

Following the incident, the owners closed the factory on the day and reiterated that the workers will be paid according to the previous wages.

However on Tuesday, a group of people loyal to the factory owners beat two workers with sticks and iron rods leaving them injured critically. The attackers claimed that the workers came to the workplace ignoring the office order.

Angered over the beating, fellow workers attacked the owners’ people, throwing brick chips. At that time, police charged batons on the workers, triggering a tripartite clash there that left 20 workers injured.

Police also fired three rounds of shotgun bullets during the clash while workers vandalized five vehicles in Zirabo area.

The injured were given treatment at Eman Medical College in Savar, said the director, Mostafizur Rahman.

Meanwhile, authorities kept the factory closed for Tuesday.

Ashulia Thana Officer-In-Charge (OC) Mostafa Kamal confirmed the matter to banglanews.

Additional police members have been deployed in front of the factory, the OC said.

BDST: 1350 HRS, FEB 10, 2015