Police disperse protesting primary teacher candidates near secretariat

Police used tear gas and water cannons on Sunday to disperse recommended primary school teachers attempting to march towards the secretariat in Dhaka.

Several hundred protesters gathered at Shahbagh, demanding their appointments and began marching towards the secretariat. However, as they reached Shikkha Bhaban, police intervened.

“We were trying to reach the secretariat when police used water cannons to stop us,” said Tabassum Maliha, one of the protesters.

When the demonstrators refused to leave, they staged a sit-in on the road leading to the secretariat. Police then fired tear gas canisters around 3:45pm to disperse them.

Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of Ramna Crime Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said the protesters had initially stated they would go to the National Press Club for a peaceful demonstration.

“Instead, they attempted to reach the Secretariat, violating their commitment. That is why we had to intervene,” he said.

On 31 October 2023, 6,531 job seekers were selected for appointment as primary school teachers. However, following a writ petition by unsuccessful candidates, the High Court cancelled the third phase of appointments, leading to the ongoing protests.