Strike over worker’s death paralyses Khatunganj wholesale market
Chattogram's Khatunganj, one of the largest wholesale markets of consumer goods in the country, has come to a standstill due to a strike over the murder of a worker by stabbing.
The workers declared the strike on Wednesday (19 October) morning after the death of the worker named Md Masud allegedly stabbed by some pickup truck drivers on Monday (17 October) evening.
He died in the early hours of Wednesday while undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
According to the Khatunganj market workers, a strike was observed for several hours on Tuesday while Masud was undergoing treatment. They later withdraw the strike after getting assurance from business organisation leaders and the administration on ensuring justice.
Later, on Wednesday, the workers declared the strike again and blocked the Khatunganj road while the news of Masud's death spread.
Traders in Khatunganj said transportation of goods in the market has been stopped completely due to the strike and the sales have severely decreased.
Jahidul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, told The Business Standard, "Deceased Masud's son Babul has filed a case as a plaintiff. Seven persons have been accused in the case including pickup drivers Russell Mia, Md Saddam and Md Sohag."
Abdul Quader, finance secretary, Greater Khatunganj Loading-Unloading Workers Union, said, "Masud was involved in a quarrel with a pickup driver on Monday evening. Later, the pickup driver brought some terrorists from outside the market and stabbed Masud. We will continue our strike until the murderers are arrested."
Md Mohiuddin, general secretary of Chaktai-Khatunganj Business Association, said, "We are not able to deliver goods anywhere due to the strike. The products coming to Khatunganj are not being unloaded."
