Instigators Behind Labour Unrest, Factory Disorder Under Intelligence Surveillance

Those behind the ongoing labor unrest and disorder are being identified and put under strict intelligence watch. The aim is to keep the garment sector running normally. Police have arranged special 24 hour watches and patrols in industrial areas of Dhaka, Narayanganj, Savar, Ashulia, Tongi and Gazipur.

Police stations, industrial police and intelligence agencies have made a list of 500 people involved. They are running drives to arrest them. Law enforcement agencies have also given the government some observations to protect stability in the readymade garment industry.

Their report says that absconding fascists and the actions of some owners could make the industry unstable again. Recently, unrest and vandalism took place in the sector over demands for higher wages and other benefits. The law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies took these steps in response. Intelligence probes found that ordinary workers were not behind the arson and vandalism in several factories in the name of a movement. They say a third party, or a group of instigators, was involved.

Intelligence agencies have information that absconding leaders of the Awami League, Jubo League and the banned Chhatra League are involved. They are accused of giving money and spreading instructions on social media such as WhatsApp. About fifty garment businessmen who are allies of the fascists are helping them. They have been identified and the watch on them has been increased.

A joint security ring has been formed in major industrial areas such as Mirpur, Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur. It includes police, BGB, SRB, APBn and Ansar members. Officials are also making sure that ordinary workers are not harassed.

According to the government and garment business leaders, an anti national group is plotting to destabilize the garment industry. It is one of the main drivers of the economy. To control the situation, the government is trying to settle the workers’ pay structure fairly by forming a wage board. At the same time, it continues to deal firmly with those creating disorder.

An intelligence officer spoke to Inqilab on condition of anonymity. He said Mr. Tarique Al Mamun of Mirpur Pallabi used to mix with many MPs and ministers of the Awami League government. He is especially close to Mr. Mahbubul Alam Hanif and his brother Mr. Rafiqul Alam. He is also close to the absconding former MPs Mr. Sarwar Jahan Badsha and Mr. Rezaul Haque Chowdhury of Daulatpur in Kushtia. Another close contact is Mr. Kamarul Arefin of the Kushtia 2 seat, which covers Bheramara and Mirpur.

The officer said Mr. Tarique Al Mamun keeps in touch with these absconding MPs. He also sends large sums of money to a neighboring country by illegal means every month. His name has now come up among those behind the garment unrest.

Sources say the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has started steps to freeze and seek details of the bank accounts of more than two hundred people and institutions. The charge is that they fueled and financed the labor movement in the garment sector. The list includes former ministers, MPs, influential businessmen and several garment entrepreneurs.

Among them are former Commerce Minister Mr. Tipu Munshi, former MP and Envoy Group owner Mr. Abdus Salam Murshedi, and former BGMEA president Mr. S M Mannan Kochi. The list also includes former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Shahriar Alam, former State Minister for Power and Energy Mr. Nasrul Hamid, and former Local Government Minister Mr. Tajul Islam. Others named are former MP Mr. Elias Uddin Mollah and Mr. Jahangir Alam, known as Sheikh Hasina’s personal assistant. Information on steps to freeze their accounts has also been found.

Several influential garment businessmen are also on the list. They include Mr. Abdus Salam of Well Group, Mr. Khasru Chowdhury of Nipa Group, Mr. A K M Mosharraf Hossain of Standard Group, and Mr. Foyzur Rahman of Tusuka Group. Others linked to the case are Ms. Nasrin Akter, Mr. Syed Nurul Islam, Mr. Syed Nazrul Islam, Mr. Syed Shahidul Islam, Mr. Syed Taufiqul Islam, Ms. Jannatul Islam, Ms. Afroza Begum and Dr. Ms. Nasrin Afroz.

The list also has Ms. Tarin Taslima, Ms. Sultana Khatun, Ms. Masuda Khatun, Ms. Momena Khatun, Mr. Mahmudul Hasan and Ms. Jannatul Ferdous. It further includes Mr. Asadur Rahman Shikder, Mr. Golam Faruk Talukder, Mr. Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Ms. Surovi Rahman, Ms. Shirin Islam and Ms. Taslima Akter. Also named are Mr. Khondaker Faruk Kaiser and Nahid Khondaker.

More names on the list are Mr. Khatib Abdul Hadi, Ms. Hosne Ara Begum of Civil Engineers, Engineer Mr. Atiqur Rahman and Ms. Mahmuda Begum. The list also has Engineer Mr. Mosharraf Hossain, Ms. Tasmia Rahman, Mr. Hasnat Mosharraf and Ms. Faria Rahman.

Recently, at the Secretariat, Home Minister Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed said former ministers, state ministers and MPs linked to a banned political group are fueling the garment unrest. He said the government has evidence that some factory owners are involved too. DMP Media and Public Relations Division DC Mr. Akhtar Hossain said cocktail blasts and arson on public transport are being carried out to spread fear and cause sabotage. Several people involved have already been arrested, including members of banned groups and their affiliated bodies.

Intelligence sources say this violence was not ordinary labor unrest. They say it had direct instigation, financing and inside collusion from a powerful group. This group includes former BGMEA president and Awami League leader Mr. S M Mannan Kochi, former MP Mr. Elias Mollah and two former Additional IGPs. Forensic analysis of CCTV footage and audio messages from 16 encrypted WhatsApp and Messenger groups used by the accused confirmed this.

They brought in hired cadres from different districts. Through rumors, they attacked law enforcement and carried out sabotage to destroy the garment industry. A DB investigation found that the Shiha Design Bangladesh Limited factory in Kalshi belonged to Mr. S M Mannan Kochi before 5 August 2024. He was then general secretary of Dhaka North City Awami League.

Later he stepped aside on paper, but control of the factory passed to a five member syndicate. The syndicate includes two former Additional IGPs, Mr. Atiqul Islam and Mr. Abu Hasan Muhammad Tarique. It also includes Mr. Atiqul Islam’s brothers in law Mr. Nurul Islam and Mr. Shafiqul Islam, and Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed.

DMP Additional Commissioner and DB chief Mr. Shafiqul Islam said several people financed and instigated the movement. They include Awami League leader Mr. Kochi, former MP Mr. Elias Mollah and his nephew Mr. Alif Mollah. The others are the two former Additional IGPs, Mr. Akter Roni, publicity secretary of Ward 10 of Dhaka North City Awami League, and the former councillor of Ward 10. He said it was a well planned scheme to use workers as a shield and destabilize the whole garment sector.

The DB chief said drives continue to bring the top planners and financiers of this violence to justice. These drives are based on information from those already arrested.