Cops swoop on striking teachers' procession again
Staff Correspondent
Several teachers received minor injuries in clashes with police as the latter prevented teachers and employees of non-government schools, colleges, madrasas and technical colleges from laying siege to the Technical Education Board at Agargaon in the capital.The teachers and employees were staging demonstration at Rokeya Sarani. Earlier on Saturday, police charged batons on a teachers' procession at Muktangon in the city, leaving six teachers injured. The agitating teachers and employees yesterday tried to lay siege to the Technical Education Board demanding reduction of different types of fees for technical students and 100 per cent basic salary from the government exchequer for the teachers and employees of the technical colleges. Issuing a 24-hour ultimatum demanding realisation of 12-point demand of the Technical College Teachers Association, leaders of National Front of Teachers and Employees said they will bring out red-flag procession in all upazilas across the country protesting the police attack on teachers for two consecutive days. They said they will announce a tougher programme today. Convenor of the organisation Kazi Faruque Ahmed said they will also lay siege to the offices of upazila nirbahi officers tomorrow and those of deputy commissioners on July 20. Meanwhile, Shikkhak Karmachari Oikya Jote, a platform of ruling BNP-backed organisations of non-government teachers and employees, yesterday held a rally at Muktangon and submitted memorandums to the LGRD and cooperatives minister, information minister, and state and deputy ministers for labour demanding 100 per cent basic salary from the government coffers. The Jote will hold a grand rally at Muktangon on July 23, chief coordinator of the Jote Selim Bhuiyan said, adding that they will also hold rally in Bogra on July 17, in Jessore on July 18 and in Chuadanga on July 19. Bangladesh Teachers Association will also hold a rally at Muktangon on July 19. Bangladesh Shikkhak-Karmachari Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Teachers Association, Bangladesh Principals Association, Bangladesh Assistant Teachers Association and Bangladesh College Teachers Association, yesterday condemned the police action against the agitating teachers. Teachers and employees of non-government schools, colleges and madrasas across the country are in strike for eleven days demanding increased salary and allowances while the government is yet to take any initiative to meet the demand.
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