ASK slams 'excessive' police force on primary teachers, terms it rights violation
The rights body urged immediate action against those responsible for using excessive force on protesting teachers and demanded medical care for the injured
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has strongly condemned the use of force by police during a rally of government primary school teachers in Dhaka, describing it as a clear violation of constitutional rights.
The incident breached Article 37 of the constitution, which guarantees every citizen's right to peaceful assembly, the rights group said, noting that no constructive steps have yet been seen from the government to address teachers' legitimate demands, reads a press release issued today (9 November).
According to media reports, police used batons, tear gas, sound grenades and water cannons to disperse a peaceful march by teachers at Shahbagh demanding implementation of their three-point charter on 8 November. At least 150 teachers were reportedly injured during the clashes.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"The teaching community forms the foundation of the nation's future generation. Attacking them not only violates human rights but also raises questions about the state's accountability towards education," ASK said in the statement.
Police charge batons, use sound grenades to disperse protesting primary school teachers at Shahbagh
The rights group also expressed concern that similar treatment was recently meted out to ibtedayi madrasa teachers, terming the pattern alarming. It questioned how law-enforcement agencies could repeatedly resort to such harsh measures without clear directives.
ASK urged the authorities to identify and take disciplinary action against those responsible for excessive force, ensure proper treatment for the injured teachers, and engage in dialogue to reach a sustainable solution.
