Female RMG worker injured in 23 October Ashulia clash dies

Champa Khatun, a 25-year-old female garment worker who was injured during a clash with law enforcement in Ashulia on 23 October, succumbed to her injuries this (27 October) morning at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. 

Inspector Md Faruk from the Dhaka Medical College police outpost told The Business Standard, "Champa Khatun was receiving treatment in the hospital's ICU after sustaining injuries in the Ashulia clash. She succumbed to her injuries this morning." 

He added, "Her body has been sent to the hospital morgue."

Champa, a resident of Rangpur, was employed at Generation Next Fashions Ltd. 

The clash occurred on 23 October, during a demonstration where Generation Next Fashions workers were demanding overdue wages. Other nearby factory workers joined the protest, and incidents of brick-throwing were reported.

Police initially responded with sound grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to several workers, including Champa. 

According to eyewitness and worker Md Shamim, the workers had gathered peacefully near the factory before moving towards Narsinghpur when police launched tear gas and rubber bullets, resulting in over 40 reported injuries.

Champa's death marks the second fatality from the recent unrest in the Ashulia industrial area, where garment workers have been protesting for unpaid wages and safety assurances.

Earlier on 30 September, Kawsar Hossain Khan, 27, an operator of Mango Tex Limited, was shot dead during a protest in the Ashulia industrial zone.