A syndicate is allegedly running a reign of irregularities and corruption in the Electrical Department of Laksam Railway. Defying official rules and regulations, the syndicate is reportedly led by Sufianur Rahman, a Line Man Grade-II employed in the department. He is accused of exercising unchecked control over the Laksam Railway area with the alleged patronage and direct support of Kishore Chandra Deb Barman, Senior Sub-Assistant Engineer (Electrical).

An investigation has found that the Electrical Department of Laksam Railway is responsible for maintaining electrical facilities at railway stations and residential quarters across several routes, including Laksam to Gangasagar in Akhaura, Laksam to Muhuriganj in Feni, and Laksam to Noakhali. Serious allegations of illegal electricity connections, meter bypassing, unauthorised occupation of railway quarters and abuse of power have been levelled against Line Man Sufian.

According to local sources, around 30 to 35 vacant and abandoned railway quarters currently remain in the Laksam Railway Colony. The syndicate is accused of breaking seals and locks on these properties and facilitating their illegal occupation by outsiders. Meanwhile, allegations have also emerged that dishonest officials are embezzling hundreds of thousands of taka by preparing fake vouchers in the name of eviction drives. The practice has reportedly become known locally as "eviction by day, occupation by night".

Sufian and engineer Kishore Chandra Deb Barman are also accused of making substantial monthly sums by providing illegal electricity connections to these vacant quarters. There are further specific allegations that electricity is being supplied to the Laksam Railway Government Railway Police (GRP) barracks without meters.

Further investigation has revealed that although official records show Sufian's posting at Cumilla Railway Station, he allegedly does not regularly perform his duties there. Instead, he is accused of providing illegal electricity connections to approximately 10 to 15 abandoned quarters in the Mali Colony and Railway Colony adjacent to Cumilla Station. He has also allegedly been supplying electricity to various shops near the station through meter bypassing. Sources familiar with the matter have alleged that engineer Kishore Chandra Deb Barman is involved in these activities.

Sufian is also accused of using an illegal gas connection for nearly 10 years at a railway quarter officially allotted in his name. He allegedly rented out that quarter to another person and subsequently broke the seal of quarter No. T/7-C, located beside the Laksam Railway Government Rest House, before moving in with his family.

The incident drew widespread attention after reports were published in several media outlets. Following the publication of those reports, the illegal gas connection at the quarter allotted in his name was reportedly disconnected under cover of darkness. The connection was subsequently allegedly continued in the name of Kamal, son of Abul Kalam. According to the allegations, Sufian caused an estimated loss of Tk 129,600 in government revenue by using gas illegally for approximately 10 years.

The allegations against the syndicate are not limited to residential quarters. It has also been accused of misappropriating government property belonging to the railway. According to allegations, approximately 200 kilograms of old electrical wires, packed in two sacks and stored at the Laksam Electrical Department's warehouse, were removed and sold under cover of darkness about a week after Eid-ul-Fitr in 2025. The estimated market value of the wires was Tk 100,000. It is further alleged that, to conceal the incident, a staged theft was arranged by breaking the warehouse lock.

The investigation has also revealed allegations of an informal system of control over the department's employees. Whenever a new or existing employee joins the Laksam Electrical Office following a transfer or posting, the Sufian-led syndicate allegedly keeps a close watch on their movements. Employees reportedly have to seek the syndicate's approval even before taking leave or going on rest. Sufian is also accused of unilaterally deciding which employee will be assigned to which duty and when.

There are further allegations that senior technicians and mechanics assigned above Sufian in the departmental hierarchy are not given due recognition. Instead, they are allegedly subjected to undue influence and domination with the support of engineer Kishore Chandra Deb Barman. Sufian is also accused of maintaining absolute control even when senior railway officials visit Laksam for inspections.

When contacted over the allegations, Sufianur Rahman denied the accusations. Repeated attempts were made to contact Kishore Chandra Deb Barman, Senior Sub-Assistant Engineer (Electrical), by phone to obtain his comments, but he could not be reached.

The allegations of irregularities, illegal utility connections, misappropriation of government property and violations of official discipline in such an important railway department have prompted calls for an impartial investigation and appropriate action against those found responsible.

Protests by readymade garment workers demanding, among other things, a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 have spread across the industrial areas of Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur on the outskirts of Dhaka. Authorities have declared holidays at around 300 factories in these areas amid growing labour unrest.In several locations, workers blocked roads, while clashes and chases between protesters and police were reported in some areas.

On Sunday morning (November 1), workers at several garment factories in the Nishchintapur area of Ashulia joined work but subsequently staged work stoppages. They later walked out of their factories and took positions on nearby roads. Workers from other factories in the surrounding areas gradually joined the demonstrations.

Around noon, protesters gathered on the road in front of Ananta Garments in the Narasinghpur area. When police attempted to disperse them, a chase and counter-chase ensued between the workers and law enforcers. No immediate reports of casualties were available.

The protesting workers said they were demonstrating to press for a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, an end to the practice of blacklisting workers and a halt to arbitrary layoffs.

They also protested against factory authorities dismissing workers at their discretion on various pretexts.

Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, said fixing the minimum monthly wage at Tk 30,000 was one of the workers' three major demands.

He said the Minimum Wage Board had been formed on Sunday to address the demand. Despite the development, workers at various factories in Ashulia continued their street protests to press for their demands.

Over 100 Factories Closed in Savar and Ashulia

Mominul Islam Bhuiyan, superintendent of police of Industrial Police-1 in Ashulia, said workers at several garment factories had been observing work stoppages since the morning.

He said at least 50 factories had declared general holidays due to the unrest, adding that police were working to maintain law and order in the industrial zone.

Later in the afternoon, he said factory authorities had declared closures for the day at 117 readymade garment factories in the Savar and Ashulia industrial areas.

Meanwhile, workers from several factories gathered in the afternoon and blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway at Hemayetpur, disrupting traffic along the busy route.

Over 100 Factories Closed in Gazipur, Fire Reported

Amzad Hossain, superintendent of police of Industrial Police-2 in Gazipur, said more than 100 factories had declared holidays during the day.

Amid workers' demonstrations and highway blockades, a factory warehouse and a vehicle belonging to law enforcement agencies were set on fire in the Chandra Palli Bidyut area of Kaliakair upazila in Gazipur around noon.

Clashes with Police in Mirpur, 28 Detained

Meanwhile, garment workers staged demonstrations in several areas of the capital's Mirpur neighbourhood from Sunday morning, demanding that the minimum monthly wage be raised to Tk 30,000.

The protests began at Mirpur-10 roundabout and later spread to Mirpur-11, Mirpur-12 and adjoining areas.

Clashes between workers and police broke out around 11:30 am and continued until approximately 2:00 pm.

Traffic came to a standstill on several roads in Mirpur, causing considerable hardship for commuters, passengers, students and parents.

As the situation escalated, the Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi metro rail stations were temporarily closed around midday. The closures disrupted both road and rail communications in the area.

Police said they had detained 28 people following clashes with garment workers in Mirpur.

The protests and factory closures have disrupted industrial activities and transport in several major garment-producing areas around the capital, highlighting growing tensions over workers' wages, job security and employment conditions.

The government has taken initiatives to observe November 7 with due dignity and significance, considering its historical importance in the nation's political life. Various programmes will be organised at the national level, while instructions have been issued to hoist the national flag at government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings across the country. The day has also been declared a public holiday.

The government's move to formally observe National Revolution and Solidarity Day at the state level after a long interval is being viewed as significant from both political and historical perspectives.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the national flag of Bangladesh must be hoisted at all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings across the country on November 7 to mark the occasion. Bangladesh's diplomatic missions abroad will also hoist the national flag.

The notification was issued on Sunday (November 1), referring to a decision taken at a Cabinet meeting held on October 5. It also stated that the government had decided to declare November 7 a public holiday every year on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, in accordance with the relevant provisions governing the responsibilities of the Ministry of Public Administration.

Earlier, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on October 7 declaring November 7 a public holiday.

The government's initiative has created a fresh opportunity to commemorate the historical events of November 7 at the state level and highlight the significance of the day.

November 7, 1975: A Turbulent Chapter in Bangladesh's History

November 7, 1975, remains one of the most significant and widely debated dates in Bangladesh's political history. Just four years after independence, the country was passing through a period of political instability, military coups, counter-coups and intense power struggles.

Following the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most members of his family on August 15, 1975, the country's political and military landscape underwent rapid changes. A government led by Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad assumed power, while divisions and rivalries within the armed forces gradually intensified.

On November 3, 1975, a military coup led by Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf took place. In the aftermath, then Army Chief Major General Ziaur Rahman was placed under house arrest, triggering further tension within the military.

Amid the volatile situation, an uprising broke out among soldiers at Dhaka Cantonment in the early hours of November 7. Various historical accounts also refer to the participation of civilians alongside military personnel in the uprising.

The events led to the release of Ziaur Rahman from house arrest. However, the developments of November 7 extended far beyond the release of a military officer. They brought significant changes within the armed forces.

During the coup and counter-coup that unfolded around this period, Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf, Colonel Khondaker Nazmul Huda and Colonel A.T.M. Haider were killed. Subsequently, Ziaur Rahman emerged as a central figure in the country's political and state leadership.

Naming of the Day and Its Political Significance

The events of November 7 have been interpreted and assessed differently by various political parties in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) observes the day as 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day'. According to the party, the unity between soldiers and civilians on November 7, 1975, played an important role in safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty. The BNP considers the events a significant example of national unity and solidarity in Bangladesh's political history.

On the other hand, the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) has, at different times, described the day as 'Sepoy-Janata Uprising Day', highlighting the role of Colonel Abu Taher.

The Awami League and various other political groups associated with the Liberation War have offered different interpretations of the events. Some of these groups observe the day as 'Freedom Fighters and Soldiers Killing Day', placing particular emphasis on the killings of military officers following the uprising.

Thus, the events of the same day have given rise to multiple interpretations, memories and political positions in Bangladesh. As a result, November 7 is not merely a historical date but also an important subject of political debate in the country.

State Recognition and the Decision to Declare a Public Holiday

For many years, the BNP and its affiliated organisations have observed November 7 through various political and commemorative programmes.

However, during the Awami League government's tenure after 2009, the day was no longer observed at the state level in the same manner and was also removed from the list of public holidays. The BNP, however, continued to observe the day through its own programmes every year.

Following the political changeover on August 5, 2024, the country's political landscape underwent another transformation.

At a Cabinet meeting held on April 16, 2026, the government decided to reinstate November 7 as National Revolution and Solidarity Day for official observance and to declare it a public holiday. On April 21, a circular issued by the Cabinet Division included the day in the 'A' category of national days.

As part of the implementation of the decision, the Cabinet meeting held on October 5 approved the declaration of November 7 as a public holiday. Subsequently, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on October 7.

In its latest notification issued on November 1, the Cabinet Division instructed all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings, as well as Bangladesh's diplomatic missions abroad, to hoist the national flag on the occasion.

BNP Announces Seven-Day Programme

The BNP has announced a seven-day programme from November 5 to 11 to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

According to the party's announced schedule, national and party flags will be hoisted at 6:00 am on November 7 at the BNP's central office in Nayapaltan and at party offices across the country.

At 11:00 am, party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, accompanied by senior national leaders, will pay tribute and offer prayers at the graves of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

At 3:00 pm, a colourful procession is scheduled to begin from in front of the BNP's central office in Nayapaltan. Similar processions will also be organised at district and metropolitan levels across the country.

The party has also planned programmes at the thana and upazila levels on November 8.

Historical Assessment and the Question of National Unity

For historians and political analysts, the significance of November 7 is multifaceted. The events surrounding the day had far-reaching consequences for the armed forces, political leadership and the course of state governance in Bangladesh.

The developments of 1975 have also remained an important subject of discussion in assessing the subsequent establishment of the BNP under Ziaur Rahman's leadership, the evolution of multiparty politics and changes in the country's political structure.

However, a comprehensive assessment of November 7 requires consideration not only of the Sepoy-Janata uprising but also of the killings of military officers, internal conflicts within the armed forces and the subsequent redistribution of political power.

A thorough understanding of the day's historical significance requires fact-based research, examination of different historical accounts and recognition of diverse political perspectives.

With the government's decision to observe the day officially, November 7 is once again expected to receive renewed attention in public discourse and historical studies.

The occasion could also provide an important opportunity to familiarise the younger generation with the events of 1975, the political circumstances of that period and the challenges faced by Bangladesh in the early years after independence.

Overall, the government's decision to observe November 7 at the state level, hoist the national flag, declare a public holiday and facilitate commemorative programmes by political parties has given the occasion renewed significance.

However, honouring history requires a commitment to objective historical research, respect for differing opinions and the promotion of national unity beyond political divisions.

Activists allegedly linked to the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and the Awami League's Jubo League have reportedly become involved in the ongoing garment workers' protests demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. According to sources familiar with the situation, several politically affiliated individuals have been active on the ground, allegedly seeking to create unrest by exploiting the workers' wage demands. A reliable source said 10 activists linked to the Awami League and Chhatra League had already been detained in connection with the protests.

According to the source, those detained are Moazzem Shahriar Niaz, 26; Md Arif Akand, 29; Md Oliullah Anik, 20; Md Mahim Molla, 19; Md Ramzan Sarker, 18; Md Kamal Gazi, 32; Alif Hossain Imon, 26; Md Nahid Hasan, 20; and Md Arif, 20. The list provided contains Md Kamal Gazi's name twice, although the source claims that 10 people were detained.

Sources further claimed that several other individuals associated with the Chhatra League and Jubo League had also participated in various protest programmes. Their alleged involvement, however, could not be independently verified, and comments from the individuals concerned were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, social media activity has drawn attention to the alleged involvement of some former office-bearers of the Chhatra League in the demonstrations.

Among them is Sajibul Islam, an organisational secretary of the Chhatra League at Jagannath University, who has reportedly shared photographs and videos from the protest sites on his Facebook account.

In a post published at 2:17pm on Sunday, he wrote: "The Bangladesh Awami League will not come to power by relying on anyone else. We will announce programmes with the strength of the people behind us."

Earlier that day, he shared several other videos and posts at 12:51pm, 1:26pm and 10:06am, highlighting the ongoing workers' movement.

In one post, he wrote: "The workers' movement demanding an increase in wages to Tk 30,000 is continuing for the fourth consecutive day."

At 6:24pm on Saturday, he also shared a video showing a fire being lit, accompanied by the slogan: "Give us a salary of Tk 30,000, or leave your seats of power."

However, these social media posts alone do not establish his involvement in any criminal activity or prove that he played a role in inciting violence. The matter requires further investigation.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Joint Commissioner Mahidul Islam said that an anti-government or anti-state group might be attempting to exploit the workers' movement to deteriorate the law and order situation.

He said a wage board had been formed to determine workers' minimum wages and that efforts were underway to resolve the issue through the established process.

"Even after explaining the matter to the workers, they did not leave the roads. We believe that an anti-government or anti-state group may have joined the protesters in an attempt to worsen the situation," he said.

For the past four days, garment workers have been staging demonstrations in several industrial areas, including the capital, demanding higher wages.

In Mirpur, clashes broke out between protesters and police, followed by vandalism and the setting of a police vehicle on fire. Following the clashes, train services at Mirpur-10, Mirpur-11 and Pallabi metro rail stations were temporarily suspended as a security precaution.

In Kaliakair, Gazipur, workers also staged demonstrations demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000. Protesters blocked the Dhaka-Tangail Highway and reportedly set fires on the road. Allegations of vandalism involving banks, vehicles and shops were also reported. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel were deployed in the area to help bring the situation under control.

Sources within the law enforcement agencies said the authorities were closely monitoring the involvement of politically affiliated individuals in the workers' movement, as well as incidents of violence in different areas. Investigations into the detained individuals are reportedly underway to establish the validity of the allegations against them.

The ongoing protests have brought renewed attention to the garment workers' demand for a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, alongside allegations of political involvement and attempts to destabilise the situation.

Establishing the facts through impartial investigations while ensuring a peaceful resolution of the workers' legitimate demands remains a key challenge for the authorities.