Government officials and employees protested in front of the chief adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, on Friday, demanding the announcement of the ninth national pay scale.
Defying a police barricade at Shahbagh, the protesters marched towards Jamuna at around 11:30am on Friday and began demonstrating in front of the residence. Police later used baton charges and tear gas to disperse them.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ramna Division) Masud Alam said: “We are remaining alert so that law and order does not deteriorate. We are talking to the protesters so that they move elsewhere.”
Earlier, protesters from across the country gathered at the Shaheed Minar and started marching towards chief adviser's residence Jamuna around 11am. When they reached Shahbagh, they faced police resistance.
Although police did not initially use batons, water cannons were deployed to disperse the crowd. Ignoring the obstruction, the protesters continued towards Jamuna and later began demonstrating in front of the residence.
After the protesters reached Jamuna, police again tried to remove them. Senior police officials held several rounds of talks with the demonstrators. When the protesters refused to leave, police resorted to baton charges and later fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The protesters said the current government must announce the new pay scale, as the pay commission has already submitted its full report and the scale can be implemented through a gazette notification. They also said implementation may be delayed once an elected government takes office.
