Police Disperse MPO Teachers’ Protest Using Water Cannons and Batons in Dhaka
Police used water cannons, sound grenades, and batons on Sunday to disperse a group of secondary-level schoolteachers under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme, who had blocked the road in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka demanding an increase in their house rent and medical allowances.
The protest began in the morning, and by the afternoon, hundreds of teachers were occupying the road, causing severe traffic congestion in surrounding areas including Paltan, Gulistan, Dhaka University, Motijheel, and Kakrail.
At around 1:30 PM, police arrived and requested the protesters to lift their blockade. When the teachers refused, police responded by throwing at least three sound grenades, spraying water using a water cannon, and charging batons to disperse the demonstrators.
Following the police action, around 2:00 PM, the protesters regrouped at the Central Shaheed Minar area. By 3:30 PM, a large number of teachers were seen gathering there, chanting slogans and vowing to continue their movement until their demands were met.
Shahbagh Police Station officer-in-charge Khalid Monsur confirmed that three to four teachers had been detained from the Press Club area for questioning. He also claimed that three to four police personnel were injured during the scuffle and received primary medical treatment.
