Workers and employees of Carew & Company in Darshana staged fierce protests on Thursday (6 February) night against the transfer of Soumik Hasan Rupom, an employee and general secretary candidate for the upcoming labour union elections, resulting in the indefinite suspension of sugarcane crushing operations at the mill.
As tensions escalated, the protesters confined the mill’s Managing Director, Rabbik Hasan, within the premises. The situation was defused later in the night after army personnel intervened to secure his release.
According to sources within Carew & Company, Soumik Hasan Rupom, who also served as the in-charge of the Parbatipur Bonded Warehouse, was recently ordered to transfer to Panchagarh Sugar Mill as a senior clerk.
News of his transfer triggered agitation among the workers from Thursday afternoon, leading them to shut down operational units, including the factory, boilers, and milling equipment, despite the ongoing sugarcane crushing season.
Demonstrators also set fire to tyres in front of the main gate, intensifying the protest.
By 5pm, union leaders Firoz Ahmed Sabuj, Taiyeb Ali, Hafizur Rahman, and Zainul Abedin Nofar convened an emergency meeting with Managing Director Rabbik Hasan at the guesthouse, demanding the revocation of Rupom's transfer order.
However, the discussions yielded no resolution, prompting the protesters to continue their sit-in outside the general office late into the night.
Around 9pm, Damurhuda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Momtaz Mahal arrived at the scene to mediate and rescue the besieged MD.
Protesters intensified their defiance, lying across the road to block the UNO’s vehicle from leaving with Hasan.
Eventually, members of the Chuadanga Army Camp arrived, negotiating with the agitators and securing the MD’s release around 11pm.
Union President Firoz Ahmed Sabuj expressed his frustration, stating, “The authorities have escalated the situation. Despite my appeals, the workers are unwilling to stand down, which is why I have distanced myself and am at the union office.”
Managing Director Rabbik Hasan revealed that several complaints had been lodged against Rupom with the Ministry of Industries, which prompted the transfer order issued by the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation, signed by Chief of Personnel Hamidul Haque.
“To control the situation, we have submitted a written appeal to the corporation’s chairman and the Secretary of Industries, requesting a suspension of the transfer order. Prolonged closure of the mill will result in significant economic losses,” Hasan added.
As of the time of reporting, sugarcane crushing operations remained suspended.