The strike plunged the fishermen of the coastal area into trouble as they depend on the factories for ice to preserve their fish. Two syndicates run the 26 factories at Mohipur and Alipur.

According to reports received from the area, a Navy man along with three other policemen came to Sugandha Ice Factory and asked for the key of Quality Ice Factory from Harunur Rashid, who is the manager of Star Ice Plant.

Harun, identifying himself as the manger of Star Ice Factory, said he had no keys of the Quality Ice Factory.

But the Navy man did not believe him and beat him up, leaving him severely injured. They then left the scene before agitated people tried to confine them.

The incident prompted the factory owners to take the decision of striking at an emergency meeting. They vowed to continue the strike until the persons responsible are punished.

They also submitted a written complaint to Captain Mazedul Islam and Captain Md Kasem of the temporary camp of the Bangladesh Navy. The Navy officials were not available for their comments.

The fish traders of the area are worried that the potential ice crisis due to the strike will make it difficult for them to preserve fishes which are caught from the deep sea regularly.