Dhaka Tribune reported that Bangladeshi government officials and employees staged a protest in front of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ official residence in Dhaka on Friday demanding the announcement of the ninth national pay scale.
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus (ANI/File)Ignoring the police barricades at Shahbagh, the protesters marched towards Yamuna around 11:30 am on Friday and started protesting in front of the residence. Later the police used lathi charge and tear gas to disperse them.
Somoy News reported that at least 15 people were injured during clashes with security personnel.
The Dhaka Tribune quoted Ramana Division Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Masood Alam as saying, “We are vigilant to ensure that the law and order situation does not deteriorate. We are talking to the agitators so that they move elsewhere.
According to local news outlets, the protests began at the Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, where protesters gathered from across Bangladesh. At around 11 am, the protesting civil servants started marching towards the Chief Adviser’s residence, Yamuna. When they reached Shahbagh, they faced resistance from the police.
Police deployed water cannons to disperse the mob, but they managed to reach the residence of Muhammad Yunus and started protesting in front of it. Senior police officials held several rounds of talks with the protesters. When the protesters refused to move, the police resorted to lathi charge. Tear gas was also fired to disperse the crowd.
Elections will be held in Bangladesh on February 12. Protesters fear that after the new government takes over, the implementation of the proposed salary hike for civil servants may be delayed.
They claim that the current interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus must announce the new pay scale, as the Pay Commission has already submitted its full report and the scale can be implemented through a gazette notification.
