Sunday, 22 December, 2024
Police have been accused of assaulting teachers from private colleges as they protested on Abdul Gani Road near the Secretariat, demanding inclusion in the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme.
A viral video shows one teacher desperately clinging to a police officer’s leg, pleading for mercy as multiple officers attempt to pull him away.
The demonstration, organized by the Bangladesh Private College Honours-Masters Teachers’ Federation, marked the third day of protests.
Teachers alleged that police used tear gas, water cannons, and batons to disperse them on Thursday afternoon.
Nekbar Hossain, president of the organization, told bdnews24.com, “Police assaulted us, leaving many injured and bloodied. They deployed tear gas and water cannons, causing injuries, including broken legs. All the injured were later sent to the hospital."
He added, “After three days of peaceful protests yielded no solution, we felt compelled to block the road. Instead of seeking a resolution, they resorted to violence against the teachers.”
Representing over 3,500 educators, the teachers have been protesting since Tuesday, demanding their inclusion under the Private Educational Institutions (Schools and Colleges) Manpower Structure and MPO Policy-2021.
Following the violent dispersal, the protesters announced plans for their next demonstration outside the vice chancellor’s residence of the National University in Dhanmondi.
Shahbagh Police Station Chief Md Khalid Monsur denied the allegations of baton charges, stating, “They blocked the road near the Secretariat for about 30 to 45 minutes, causing severe traffic congestion. Despite our repeated requests to clear the road, they did not comply, prompting us to disperse them.”
Teachers claim they have been deprived of MPO benefits for years, with some waiting for as long as 32 years. They assert that their current salaries are insufficient to cover basic household expenses, with some teachers earning as little as Tk 5,000 to Tk 6,000 per month.
Uttam Kumar Mondol, a teacher who traveled from Khulna, expressed, “We want to live with dignity. Inclusion in the MPO scheme would alleviate our financial struggles and allow us to survive with some self-respect. That’s why we came to Dhaka.”
The teachers are also seeking promotion opportunities to positions such as assistant professor, professor, departmental head, trainer, vice-principal, and principal.
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Police have been accused of assaulting teachers from private colleges as they protested on Abdul Gani Road near the Secretariat, demanding inclusion in the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme.
A viral video shows one teacher desperately clinging to a police officer’s leg, pleading for mercy as multiple officers attempt to pull him away.
The demonstration, organized by the Bangladesh Private College Honours-Masters Teachers’ Federation, marked the third day of protests.
Teachers alleged that police used tear gas, water cannons, and batons to disperse them on Thursday afternoon.
Nekbar Hossain, president of the organization, told bdnews24.com, “Police assaulted us, leaving many injured and bloodied. They deployed tear gas and water cannons, causing injuries, including broken legs. All the injured were later sent to the hospital."
He added, “After three days of peaceful protests yielded no solution, we felt compelled to block the road. Instead of seeking a resolution, they resorted to violence against the teachers.”
Representing over 3,500 educators, the teachers have been protesting since Tuesday, demanding their inclusion under the Private Educational Institutions (Schools and Colleges) Manpower Structure and MPO Policy-2021.
Following the violent dispersal, the protesters announced plans for their next demonstration outside the vice chancellor’s residence of the National University in Dhanmondi.
Shahbagh Police Station Chief Md Khalid Monsur denied the allegations of baton charges, stating, “They blocked the road near the Secretariat for about 30 to 45 minutes, causing severe traffic congestion. Despite our repeated requests to clear the road, they did not comply, prompting us to disperse them.”
Teachers claim they have been deprived of MPO benefits for years, with some waiting for as long as 32 years. They assert that their current salaries are insufficient to cover basic household expenses, with some teachers earning as little as Tk 5,000 to Tk 6,000 per month.
Uttam Kumar Mondol, a teacher who traveled from Khulna, expressed, “We want to live with dignity. Inclusion in the MPO scheme would alleviate our financial struggles and allow us to survive with some self-respect. That’s why we came to Dhaka.”
The teachers are also seeking promotion opportunities to positions such as assistant professor, professor, departmental head, trainer, vice-principal, and principal.
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