Police Use Force to Disperse Govt Employees Protesting Near Jamuna

Police used batons, tear gas, and sound grenades on Friday to disperse hundreds of government employees protesting in front of Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser.

The protesters, under the banner of the Government Employees' Demands Unity Council, are demanding the immediate publication and implementation of the 9th National Pay Scale gazette.

The demonstration began Friday morning at the Central Shaheed Minar. By 11:30 am, protesters marched toward Mintu Road, breaching three police cordons at Shahbagh, the InterContinental intersection, and the entrance to Jamuna.

DMP Deputy Commissioner (Ramna Division) Md Masud Alam stated that protesters ignored warnings to vacate the high-security zone. Following a failed negotiation attempt by DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali, police launched a sweep around 12:30 pm to clear the area.

"Gatherings are strictly banned in this high-security zone. Entering this area is a breach of law, which necessitated the police action," Commissioner Sazzat told reporters.

As of 1:00 pm, the protesters had retreated to the InterContinental Dhaka intersection, where they continue to hold their ground and chant slogans. The road from Shahbagh to Farmgate remains blocked, causing significant traffic disruption.

The protesters have vowed to continue their sit-in until the government guarantees the new pay scale before the upcoming national election.