Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has justified the action taken to disperse a gathering of government primary school assistant teachers at Shahbagh, saying it was necessary to ensure public safety and protect key state establishments.
In a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, the DMP said the teachers, who had initially assembled at the Central Shaheed Minar to press home various demands, later gathered near Shahbagh Police Station around 3:00 pm.
According to the statement, around 4:00 pm, some protesters broke through police barricades and attempted to march towards the state guesthouse Jamuna, an area where all kinds of assemblies, rallies and gatherings are strictly prohibited.
As police intervened, the protesters allegedly hurled brick chips, leaving several law enforcers injured. In response, police used sound grenades and water cannons to disperse the crowd and restore order.
The DMP reiterated that the area surrounding the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna, is under a strict ban on public gatherings.
The protesters’ attempt to advance toward the restricted zone prompted what it termed as ‘necessary police measures’.
Urging citizens to cooperate with law enforcement, the DMP called on everyone to abide by existing restrictions to maintain public safety, law and order, and protect vital state installations.