The Dhaka-Mymensingh highway was briefly blocked by Gazipur garment factory workers for around three hours on Tuesday in protest at the death of a female coworker in a traffic accident.
The deceased, 18-year-old Champa Akter, who had recently joined Interloop BD Limited Garment on Gacha Hariken Road as an assistant since 4th May, was struck by a truck while crossing the BRT lane on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway around 8:00 am. Champa, a resident of Hararkandi village in Netrakona district, was on her way to work when the accident occurred.
News of her death quickly spread among factory workers, prompting a demonstration. Colleagues and workers from other garment factories gathered, setting tyres ablaze and blocking both sides of the highway in protest. During the demonstration, some workers also damaged the windows of several vehicles, leading to significant traffic congestion.
In response to the protest, several garment factories were temporarily closed to prevent further unrest. Authorities, including the police, army, and local administration, intervened to persuade the workers to clear the highway. By around 11:00 am, the road was reopened.
The police recovered the body of Champa Akter, and legal proceedings related to the incident are underway, according to Ghacha police station officer-in-charge Ali Mohammad Rashed.
