Police Use a Baton to Combat Teachers’ Protest

Police started using charge batons to disperse the teachers protesting in front of the press club today (17 July). 

Teachers from across the country have been holding demonstrations in front of the press club for the past seven days to demand the nationalization of high schools.

Salman Farsi, the Ramna Zone Assistant Commissioner for the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, recommended that the instructors refrain from obstructing traffic flow.

"We requested them to continue their protest in front of the press club. Defying several requests, they blocked the Paltan intersection and adjacent areas for hours. Even some protesters hurled brick chips towards policemen," he added.

They have been protesting in the press club area since July 11th, according to Abul Kashem, a teacher from the island Upazila Hatiya of Noakhali who came to join the demonstration.

"We have blocked the two major intersections in front of National Press Club and traffic movement has been at halt since 9am on this road. The movement is taking more momentum now," he added.

"Several teachers have been injured, and they have been sent to hospitals. We wouldn't leave the ground without fulfilling our rights," Abul Kashem said.