Police have dispersed teachers staging a sit-in in front of the National Press Club on Sunday, demanding a 20% increase in house rent allowance.
The action began around 1:50pm when police fired water cannons at the demonstrators and several sound grenades were heard in the area. Following the explosions and water jets, police advanced on the protesters and carried out baton charges.
Witnesses said the teachers scattered but regrouped several times, returning to the street to chant slogans and resume their demonstration. As of 2:30pm, police were still attempting to clear the area.
Earlier in the day, leaders of the MPO Bhukto Shikkha Jatiokoron Prottashi Jote had announced a move from the Press Club to the Central Shaheed Minar. One faction of the teachers began marching toward Shaheed Minar under the leaders’ direction.
However, another faction chose to continue their sit-in at the Press Club, announcing a long march toward the Secretariat. The disagreement created tension at the scene.
When one group had already left for Shaheed Minar, police moved in to disperse those who remained near the Press Club around 1:50pm.
Police officials present at the scene said the protesters had blocked both sides of the road, creating a chaotic situation and causing severe traffic congestion. They added that police were forced to act after repeated requests to clear the road went unheeded.
