At least 35 protesters were injured in clashes with the police during a demonstration in the capital, demanding the swift announcement of the 9th National Pay Scale.
The incident took place in front of the Jamuna State Guest House on Friday afternoon.
The protesters had gathered to demand the immediate implementation of the long-awaited pay scale when they were met with resistance from law enforcement.
Police used sound grenades, water cannons, and batons to disperse the crowd, resulting in a chaotic scene where many were injured either during the scramble or by police action.
The injured, aged between 28 and 60, were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment.
Among the injured are Abdul Hannan, 45; Joy Das, 35; Abdul Awal, 40; Tanmoy, 32; Zakariya, 60; Sikandar, 40; and Osman Gani, 40; among others.
Inspector Mohammad Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed that around 35 individuals were treated in the hospital’s emergency department. “They were all given medical attention for injuries sustained during the protest,” he said.
The demonstration began around 10:30am at Shahbagh, where protesters gathered before marching towards the Chief Adviser’s residence at 11am.
Despite a heavy police presence at the Shahbagh intersection, law enforcement initially attempted to disperse the crowd with water cannons, avoiding the use of batons.
Defying police resistance, the protesters reached the front of Jamuna through the Hotel InterContinental intersection and staged a sit-in on the road, chanting slogans.
In response, additional police units and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) forces were deployed.
Police first attempted to negotiate with the protesters, urging them to leave peacefully.
However, when the protesters refused, law enforcement escalated their actions, using water cannons, sound grenades, and tear gas to push the crowd back.
As the situation intensified, some protesters took shelter inside Ramna Park, where chases and counter-chases between demonstrators and police lasted for nearly an hour.
By 1pm, the area in front of Jamuna was cleared as protesters retreated back towards Shahbagh.
Police detained four to five individuals from the scene, with reports suggesting that some of those arrested had traveled from Narayanganj and Lakshmipur to join the protest.
The protest was organised by government employees who have been demanding the immediate announcement of the 9th National Pay Scale. The workers say they have been waiting too long for the revised pay structure, which they believe is crucial for their livelihoods.
