Police Use Force to Disperse Dhaka Protesters

Police in Dhaka used force today to stop a large group of government employees who were marching toward the residence of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, known as Jamuna.

The protesters were demanding the immediate implementation of the ninth national pay scale, which they say is necessary to improve their salaries and benefits. They gathered under the banner of the Sarkari Karmachari Dabi Adai Oikya Parishad, a group formed to press for government employees’ demands.

According to officials, the employees began their march peacefully but were stopped by police barricades at Shahbagh. When some protesters tried to push past the barricades, police used water cannons to control the crowd. As tensions increased, officers also used batons, tear gas, and sound grenades to disperse the demonstrators.

Despite these measures, the protesters continued moving forward. They broke through another barricade near the InterContinental Dhaka hotel and reached Jamuna. There, they staged a brief sit-in outside the state guest house to press their demand.

The protesters said they want the government to officially issue a gazette notification and enforce the ninth pay scale as recommended by the Ninth National Pay Commission. They believe the new pay structure will help improve their financial condition.

Police later brought the situation under control, and the area around Jamuna was secured. The incident highlights growing frustration among government employees over salary-related issues.