Finance Minister AMA Muhith today said in Parliament the government too worried about the unrest in garment sector and the prime minister has directed all concerned to take necessary steps to control the prevailing situation.

He said it is usual that criminals seek shelters to the new government with the change of power. “We are aware of this. We are also worried about the garment sector,” Muhith said while replying to independent lawmaker Fazlul Azim’s cut motion on home ministry’s demand for grants in the House.

The finance minister spoke on behalf of Home Minister Sahara Khatun who was absent in Parliament due to her illness. On the current state of police administration, he said the police forces have been criminalised and it is difficult to get rid of the situation.

Garment workers on Monday burned down six factories, two warehouses and several vehicles of Ha-Meem Group in Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital. They also vandalised 50 other factories and over 20 vehicles.

While speaking on his cut motion, independent lawmaker Fazlul Azim demanded that the government take tough action to control unrest in garment factories in Ashulia. He said garment workers are not involved with the unrest. “Outsiders are engaged with the conspiracy to destroy our garment industries,” Azim said.

The finance minister said the government is mulling over formation of industrial police unit to control untoward situation in garment factories. Replying to a query, Home Minister Sahara Khatun a few days ago informed the Parliament that a proposal for setting up industrial police unit is now under consideration of the finance ministry.

-Daily Star