Four injured after Police baton charge in Shahbagh

In Shahbagh, Dhaka, a protest turned violent on Monday afternoon as police clamped down on a group of registered teacher job seekers. 

The demonstrators, who were protesting against the recent cancellation of their job appointments, were met with baton charges, water cannon sprays, and tear gas in an attempt to break up the rally.

The protest began around noon in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh, where the teachers were staging a sit-in. 

The protesters later blocked the road, which led to significant traffic disruptions in the area. 

The situation escalated when the police moved in with force, dispersing the crowd with baton charges. 

After a brief pause, the protesters returned to the street, only to be met with another strong response from law enforcement.

At least four people were injured during the clash, and they were rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment later in the afternoon. 

The injured were identified as Riaz Uddin (42), Tanzila Akter (23), Seema Akter (23), and Najmun Nahar Kona (27).

Mohammad Faruk, the officer in charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, confirmed the injuries. 

He stated, “Four individuals, including teachers and students, were brought to the hospital from Shahbagh. They are currently receiving medical attention in the emergency department, and the doctors have informed us that all of them are out of danger. We’ve notified the Shahbagh Police Station about the incident.”

The protesters explained that their demonstration was in response to a recent ruling by the High Court that resulted in the cancellation of their job appointments. 

In protest, they had gathered in Shahbagh to demand justice and call attention to their situation.

This clash between the police and the protesters is a clear indication of the growing frustration and tension surrounding the issue, with many questioning the fairness of the decision that led to the cancellation of the teachers’ jobs.