Published: 11:12 AM, 05 September 2026
Protest demanding Tk 500 wage: injured tea worker leader arrested
A tea worker leader, who was allegedly injured in an attack during a protest demanding a daily wage of Tk500, has been arrested and sent to jail after being named the prime accused in a case filed over the incident in Sreemangal of Moulvibazar. Gita Rani Kanu, one of the key leaders of the movement, was detained by police on Wednesday night and later sent to jail by a Moulvibazar court.
The protesters alleged that the case was deliberately filed against them while they were receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the alleged attack.
The clash occurred on Monday during a human chain and rally in the Choumuhana area. Protesters alleged that leaders of the Bangladesh Tea Workers' Union attacked them, leaving 10 to 12 workers injured. Several of the injured received treatment at Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital.
Srimangal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun said a case had been filed naming Gita Rani Kanu as the prime accused, along with four other named individuals and six to seven unidentified persons.
According to the case, Bangladesh Tea Workers' Union Central Committee General Secretary Nipen Pal filed the complaint under several sections of the Penal Code, including those relating to unlawful assembly, assault, vandalism, theft and criminal intimidation.
The other named accused are Janak Lal Deshwara, Akash Goala, Bishwo Prasad Goala and Gopal Yadav.
The case alleges that the accused entered the Labour House as a group, assaulted Nipen Pal, stole Tk5,700 in cash and vandalised furniture, causing an estimated Tk20,000 in damage.
Before her arrest, Gita Rani Kanu said the protesters had planned to march towards the offices of the DDL and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) under their scheduled programme and had obtained police permission.
To mention, tea workers have been demonstrating for around a month, demanding a daily wage of Tk500, cancellation of the gazette issued in 2023, an election for the Bangladesh Tea Workers' Union, and land rights.
As part of the ongoing movement, workers at every plantation in the Sylhet Valley began an indefinite two-hour work stoppage from Wednesday (September 02), from 9am to 11am.
>> Swapan Kumar Singh in Moulvibazar
