Police used batons, tear gas and sound grenades to disperse government employees protesting in front of the State Guest House Jamuna on Friday.
Protesters demanding the publication and implementation of the 9th national pay scale gazette based on the National Pay Commission’s recommendations.
According to Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Masud Alam, protesters broke through three police barricades after marching from the Central Shaheed Minar and gathered in front of Jamuna around 11:30 AM.Law enforcers initially used sound grenades and tear gas, forcing a section of the protesters to retreat toward the InterContinental Dhaka intersection, while others remained near the chief adviser’s (CS) residence.
Senior police officials, including Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali, attempted to persuade the demonstrators to leave the restricted area, but the protesters refused. Around 12:30 PM, police launched a baton charge and intensified the use of sound grenades and tear gas to clear the area.
By 1:00 PM, protesters had regrouped near the InterContinental intersection, where police barricaded both sides of the road and deployed additional personnel. Traffic between Shahbagh and Farmgate remained blocked as protesters continued chanting slogans and demanding immediate implementation of the new pay scale before the election.
Speaking to the media, DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said rallies and mass gatherings are prohibited in the Jamuna area. “They breached the barricades and entered a restricted zone. We will not allow anyone to occupy this area,” he said.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of government employees gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar under the banner of the Government Employees’ Demands Unity Council. They marched toward Jamuna in what they described as a “hunger procession,” carrying bowls, and vowed to continue their sit-in until their demands are met.
