Dhaka, Feb 11 (V7N) – For the second consecutive day, protesters have taken to the streets, demanding the reinstatement of their cancelled appointments as assistant teachers in government primary schools. While yesterday's demonstrations led to road blockades and clashes with law enforcement, today's protest has shifted to a peaceful sit-in in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh.

As the day progressed on Tuesday, demonstrators gathered with placards, voicing their demands for the appointment of 6,531 candidates who had been selected in the third phase of assistant teacher recruitment in the Dhaka and Chittagong divisions.

The protests stem from the government's suspension of 6,531 final appointments in the third phase of assistant teacher recruitment. The protesters claim that while the first and second phases of recruitment were completed without issue, the third phase has been marred by legal complications.

The third phase notification was published on June 14, 2023.

Written exams were conducted on March 29, 2024, with results announced on April 21, 2024.

Interviews followed on June 12, and the final results were released on October 31, 2024, after approval from the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Public Administration.

However, a group of 31 candidates who did not receive recommendations filed a writ petition in the High Court. On February 6, the court cancelled the recruitment of the 6,531 successful candidates in Dhaka and Chittagong, citing legal discrepancies. The recruitment process has been suspended for six months pending further review.

On Monday, tensions flared when protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection around 1:20 PM, joined by registered job seekers from 1-12th NTRCA (Non-Government Teachers' Registration and Certification Authority). Police responded with water cannons, lathi-charges, and the detonation of sound grenades, leading to several injuries and arrests.

Despite the confrontation, protesters announced plans to continue their demonstrations if their demands were not met.

Today’s protest remained peaceful, with demonstrators refraining from blocking roads. Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Khalid Mansur confirmed that “some people are standing in front of the National Museum, but no roads have been blocked today.”

Meanwhile, teachers registered with NTRCA have received a summons to the secretariat for discussions. A seven-member delegation representing the protesters has reportedly left for the secretariat to engage in talks with government officials.

The protesters argue that their recruitment process was transparent and legally endorsed before being halted. “This is nothing short of a farce,” said one protester. “We followed all the rules, passed every stage of the process, and were recommended for appointments. Now, because of a few complaints, our future is in jeopardy.”

The protesters remain steadfast in their demands for the immediate reinstatement of the cancelled appointments, warning that they will continue their sit-in until the government takes action.

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