Workers from a garment factory in Dhaka's Kachukhet area staged a protest this morning, demanding an end to layoffs and the reopening of their factory. 

The protest quickly escalated as workers clashed with law enforcement, with some protesters throwing bricks and stones at officers. 

Tensions heightened when the protesters reportedly set fire to the road and several vehicles, including those belonging to the police and the army.

To restore order, police and army personnel attempted to disperse the crowd. 

According to witnesses, gunshots were heard in the area, and videos circulating on social media showed people fleeing amid sounds of gunfire. 

The demonstration, which began around 8:30 a.m., drew additional support from workers at nearby factories in the Mirpur-14 and Kachukhet areas, intensifying the unrest.

The clashes persisted until approximately 10:00 am, with the situation still tense as of 10:45 am when this report was filed. 

Two firefighting units were deployed to extinguish the flames engulfing the vehicles.

BDST: 1205 HRS, OCT 31, 2024
MN/SMS