Police Block Teachers’ ‘March to Secretariat’

Police stopped MPO-enlisted teachers' 'March to Secretariat' program near Mazhar Gate after it started from Shahid Minar.

The program began on Tuesday (October 14) at 4 PM.

Earlier today, around 1:30 PM, Delwar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the coalition of nationalized education aspirants under MPO, announced the program at the central Shahid Minar.

He stated, "Our strike will continue. No teacher will return to the classroom until a gazette is issued for a 20% house rent allowance, 1500 taka medical allowance, and 75% festival allowance for employees."

Azizi informed that a decision was made on August 13 in a meeting at the Ministry of Education, in the presence of the education advisor, secretary, and senior officials, to implement these three demands. However, they have not been put into effect yet.

He said, "We have exhausted all paths of discussion. Even after decisions were made, they haven't been implemented. There is no need for new discussions at the ministry now. We only want the decisions implemented."

He further revealed that intelligence agencies have been in contact with the protesters. At the request of the police administration, the march time was postponed slightly to 4 PM in the afternoon.

Principal Azizi said, "If the Ministries of Education and Finance jointly hold a press briefing announcing that the demands have been accepted and a gazette will be issued within two-three days, we will suspend the march towards the Secretariat. However, the strike will continue until then."

He claimed, "Teachers across the country, students, political and professional organizations have expressed unity with this movement. Now it's no longer just teachers' agitation; the entire people of Bangladesh agree with it."

Last Sunday afternoon, during a sit-in program in front of the National Press Club, police attempted to disperse the teachers, leading to scuffles and sound grenade deployments. This created tension in the area. Later, following calls from organization leaders, the teachers moved to Shahid Minar for a sit-in and announced continuous protests from there.