Narsingdi: Officials of a jute mill here were assaulted, their bungalows ransacked and two cars torched in a massive midnight violence let loose by the workers on Wednesday night to press their demand for back pays, police and witnesses said.     
 
A total of 30 people, including 30 cops, were injured in the rioting as the unruly workers of the state-owned Alijan Jute Mills also clashed with police who came to quell the marauding.

The sources said immediately before the clash, the agitating workers set fire to two vehicles of the mill officials and looted their houses.  

The workers kicked up agitation in front of the factory gate demanding arrears at around 10:30pm. “At one stage of the demo, the irate workers assaulted eight officials and ransacked the mill premises,” says a spot report.

Mill officials also informed that the demonstrators ransacked the bungalow of Managing Director Nurul Islam Patwari. The workers vandalized doors, windows and household materials of officers’ quarters and set ablaze two cars of officials.

Narsingdi Model Thana OC Nazrul Islam told banglanews24.com.bd that, on information at about 3:30 am, they rushed to the factory. The clash that ensued after police had charged baton on the workers to disperse them, left 30 injured, including four cops.

“Police reinforcements were posted to avert further flare-ups,” the OC said.

Of the injured, 14 were admitted to local hospitals.

Shadiur Rahman, Deputy Director of Fire Brigade, said, “Firefighters brought the car fires under control within one hour.”

BDST: 0930 hrs, 17 July 2010
TA/AK/SMS/MUA