Kushtia, July 15 (UNB) – Two workers of Akij Bidi factory were shot dead and 10 others injured as on-duty Ansar members opened fire on demonstrating workers at Hosnabad in Daulatpur upazila on Sunday.

The deceased were identified as Raqibul, 22, and Mintu, 38 of Boiragirchar in the upazila.

Police and witnesses said several hundred workers of the factory were staging a demonstration in front of the factory demanding wage hike.

The trouble began when a group of workers loyal to the owners attacked the protesters, triggering a clash between the two groups.

At one stage, the on-duty Ansar members of the factory opened fire on the demonstrators, killing Raqibul on the spot and injuring at least 11 others.

Of the injured, Mintu died on the way to the local upazila health complex. The other injured were taken to different hospitals and clinics of the district.

A tense situation was prevailing in the area following the incident. Additional police were deployed to fend off further trouble.