Police charge batons, use sound grenades to disperse protesting primary school teachers at Shahbagh
Several protesters were reportedly injured in the police action
Police baton-charged and fired sound grenades to disperse protesting primary school teachers at Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection this afternoon (8 November).
Earlier in the day, assistant teachers of government primary schools staged a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar, demanding implementation of the 10th-grade pay scale and other key benefits.
As the teachers marched toward Shahbagh, police blocked their advance and used batons and sound grenades to disperse them.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Several protesters and policemen were reportedly injured in the incident.
Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media and public relations) of DMP, said a group of protesters attempted to break through a police barricade and cross the Shahbagh intersection toward the State Guest House Jamuna around 4am.
"When officers tried to stop them, the protesters threw bricks, injuring several police personnel. In response, the police fired multiple rounds of sound grenades and used water cannons to disperse the crowd," he said.
The officer added that the action was taken to restore order and ensure the security of key state installations.
The protest was held under the banner of the Primary Teachers' Demand Implementation Council.
The teachers have vowed to continue their movement until their demands are met.
Their main demands include granting assistant teachers the 10th-grade pay scale, removing complications in obtaining higher grades after 10 and 16 years of service, and ensuring 100 per cent departmental promotion.
"The demand for the 10th-grade pay scale has been ongoing for a long time. Since it has not been implemented, we have now taken to the streets," said Mohammad Mozammel Hossain Sakib, an assistant teacher at Suhrid Palli Government Primary School in Nangalkot Upazila of Cumilla.
"We have been continuing our movement for the 10th grade. The government has proposed the 11th grade, but we want the 10th grade," he added.
