Water Cannon Used Against Job-Demanding Protesters

Dhaka: A protest by job-seeking teachers turned tense as police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators demanding reinstatement of their canceled appointments. The protestors, who were recommended for assistant teacher positions in government primary schools, tried to march towards the Secretariat on Sunday afternoon, but police intervened and broke up the procession. Several protesters were arrested and later released, with three detained individuals still in police custody.

The protesters had gathered in Shahbagh in front of the National Museum from the morning, staging their demonstration for the 11th consecutive day. After a rally, they began a march towards the High Court Mazar. However, they were met with a police blockade as they tried to proceed towards the Secretariat. The police used water cannons to disperse them, followed by tear gas and baton charges. 

As the protesters scattered, several were seen being taken away in police vans. Police sources confirmed that while three individuals were held, others were released. Among those detained were Mahmudul Haque Faisal from Narsingdi’s Monohordi Upazila and Ujjal Hossain from Comilla, both of whom claimed to have been selected for assistant teacher positions in the third-phase recruitment process (Dhaka-Chittagong division). 

The protesting teachers vowed to remain on the streets until they receive confirmation of their jobs, despite facing police repression for three consecutive days. They alleged that their peaceful protest was met with force, including water cannon usage and baton charges last Thursday. 

On Sunday, a group of representatives from the movement visited the Ministry, including Talukdar Piyas, Jerin Akhter, Nahid Islam, and Sourav Ahmed. They were planning to march from the National Museum towards the National Press Club, but were obstructed by police at the High Court Mazar.

Police officials from the Ramna division confirmed that the protesters had been peacefully gathered in Shahbagh since the morning. After the march towards the Secretariat was blocked, the protesters attempted to break through the barricade, prompting the use of water cannons and tear gas.

The protesters have been staging their demonstrations at Shahbagh during the day and outside the National Press Club at night. They are demanding the reinstatement of the third-phase recruitment for assistant teachers, which has been indefinitely suspended due to a court ruling.

In June 2023, the third-phase recruitment notification was released. After written and oral exams, the results were published in October, with 6,531 candidates passing. However, following a petition, the recruitment process for these candidates was suspended for six months, and on February 6, the High Court canceled the recruitment.