Sunday, 22 December, 2024
Police have dispersed a protest advocating for an increase in the maximum age limit for entry into government jobs to 35 years.
The incident took place outside the Education Building on Wednesday afternoon, where law enforcement used water cannons and batons to break up the demonstration.
Authorities stated that they intervened because the protesters disregarded the ban on public gatherings at the location, causing public disruption.
A highly placed official of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ramna Division explained that the protesters initially assembled at the Shahbagh intersection but were instructed to move to Central Shaheed Minar due to another demonstration in the area.
“They complied and left Shahbagh, but then they unexpectedly announced over the megaphone that they would besiege the Secretariat and proceeded in that direction, where they were blocked in front of the Education Building.”
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner had previously prohibited all meetings and rallies near key government buildings, including the Secretariat. Despite being informed of the ban, the protesters attempted to enter the area, prompting police action, Mamun added.
After being dispersed, the protesters regrouped at Shaheed Minar and announced their intention to plan a new demonstration.
On October 24, the interim government decided to raise the age limit for entry into government jobs by two years, bringing it to 32. Additionally, it restricted the number of attempts at the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) exams to three.
However, the student coordination council demanding a 35-year age limit rejected the government's decision.
The push to raise the age limit for government jobs to 35 has been ongoing for over a decade, facing multiple rejections from the former Awami League government.
Following the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina administration during a student-led uprising in August, the issue gained renewed attention, with the interim government appearing more receptive to the demand.
A committee was established to review the situation and recommend an appropriate age limit based on the current realities of the country. The committee proposed raising the age limit to 35 for men and 37 for women, but the interim government ultimately decided to increase it by only two years.
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Police have dispersed a protest advocating for an increase in the maximum age limit for entry into government jobs to 35 years.
The incident took place outside the Education Building on Wednesday afternoon, where law enforcement used water cannons and batons to break up the demonstration.
Authorities stated that they intervened because the protesters disregarded the ban on public gatherings at the location, causing public disruption.
A highly placed official of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ramna Division explained that the protesters initially assembled at the Shahbagh intersection but were instructed to move to Central Shaheed Minar due to another demonstration in the area.
“They complied and left Shahbagh, but then they unexpectedly announced over the megaphone that they would besiege the Secretariat and proceeded in that direction, where they were blocked in front of the Education Building.”
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner had previously prohibited all meetings and rallies near key government buildings, including the Secretariat. Despite being informed of the ban, the protesters attempted to enter the area, prompting police action, Mamun added.
After being dispersed, the protesters regrouped at Shaheed Minar and announced their intention to plan a new demonstration.
On October 24, the interim government decided to raise the age limit for entry into government jobs by two years, bringing it to 32. Additionally, it restricted the number of attempts at the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) exams to three.
However, the student coordination council demanding a 35-year age limit rejected the government's decision.
The push to raise the age limit for government jobs to 35 has been ongoing for over a decade, facing multiple rejections from the former Awami League government.
Following the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina administration during a student-led uprising in August, the issue gained renewed attention, with the interim government appearing more receptive to the demand.
A committee was established to review the situation and recommend an appropriate age limit based on the current realities of the country. The committee proposed raising the age limit to 35 for men and 37 for women, but the interim government ultimately decided to increase it by only two years.
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