Narayanganj, Aug 17 (UNB) - Workers of a garment unit in Rupganj upazila went on berserk halting traffic movement on Dhaka-Sylhet highway, demanding payment of arrear salaries and allowances on Friday.

A large number of workers of Harvest Rich at Aukheb staged demonstration inside the factory in the morning.

Later, the agitating workers blocked the Dhaka-Sylhet highway halting traffic movement for about one hour.

A chase and counter-chase between the workers and police took place as the latter asked the workers to withdraw their blockade.

The workers, at one stage, ransacked the factory.

Police said the workers took position on the highway, but the situation was brought under control as the law enforcers intervened.

Meanwhile, Saiful Islam Khan, administrative officer of the factory, at noon filed a case with local thana against 400/500 people, including outsiders, for the vandalism.

In his case statement, he alleged that properties worth about Tk 1.60 crore were damaged in the attack and the attackers also took away goods worth Tk 50 lakh.

On Thursday evening, a workers-police clash left 50 people injured.

In another incident, workers of Lina Paper Mill at Murapara in the upazila staged demonstration and damaged the factory at noon.

The workers, however, were pacified as the authorities assured them of clearing their dues.