Cox’s Bazar saw fresh unrest on Wednesday as dismissed teachers from learning centers inside Rohingya camps staged demonstrations demanding reinstatement of their jobs.
The protests began early in the morning when the teachers gathered at several entry points of Ukhiya camps, blocking NGO vehicles from entering.
Witnesses and police sources said that around 8 am, police baton-charged the protesters, leaving at least three teachers—including women—seriously injured.
Authorities also detained at least 20 people, including student representatives and protest leader Saidul Islam Shamim.
By 11 am, police dispersed protesters who had gathered at Ukhiya Upazila Health Complex to visit the injured.
Among those detained in a second round was Jinnia Sharmin Riya, a student leader and central figure of the National Citizens Party (NCP), along with at least 12 others.
A widely circulated video on social media showed Jinnia confronting police during her detention, saying: “I am speaking for rights; does that make me a member of the Chhatra League?”
Following the arrests, nearly 500 demonstrators gathered in front of Ukhiya Police Station, demanding the immediate release of those held and calling for the removal of Officer-in-Charge Arif Hossain. The station remained under blockade as tensions mounted.
At 1:30 pm, an NCP delegation led by joint member secretary SM Suja Uddin entered the station for talks. Before entering, Suja Uddin told reporters: “Three people including Jinnia have been detained. Ukhiya is not a separate country where protests cannot take place. We strongly condemn this incident and demand their respectful release.”
Leaders of the local BNP, including convener Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury, later joined the discussions inside the station. By 2:45 pm, reports of clashes and chase-and-counter-chase incidents emerged on the road outside the police station. As of 4 pm, BNP and NCP leaders were still present inside.
Dismissed teachers said they were forced into protest after local instructors were laid off from UNICEF-run learning centers, allegedly due to funding shortages. Around 1,500 teachers were terminated last July, leaving many families in financial hardship. Despite repeated assurances, they claim authorities have not taken effective steps to resolve the issue.
On Monday, the teachers staged a daylong blockade on the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf highway, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded and causing severe suffering to passengers.Currently, nearly 400,000 registered Rohingya live in 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. Over 4,500 learning centers serve approximately 230,000 displaced Rohingya children and adolescents.
Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police (Media) Md. Jashim Uddin Chowdhury told media that, “Protesters were removed to ease public suffering. The situation is under control now. A few individuals have been taken into custody and will be dealt with after verification. A meeting was also held with the dismissed teachers yesterday.”
