Bangladeshi police fire teargas at protesters demanding higher age limit for government jobs

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – Police in Bangladesh fired teargas as hundreds of job seekers gathered in front of the office of the head of the transitional government to demand that the age limit for government jobs be increased to 35 from the current age cap of 30.

Hundreds of protesters were stationed on the road in front of Muhammad Yunus’ office during busy working hours, causing traffic chaos around the area in the capital, Dhaka.

They initially gathered at the Shahbagh intersection and later in front of the chief adviser's residence in the Bailey Road area. There, police fired tear gas shells and sound grenades at them. Some of them were injured, said protesters.

Army and police personnel were also seen at the site.

In the face of the protests, the government has established a committee to consider the demand for an increase in the age limit for government jobs.

The committee has been asked to present a report with recommendations within the next seven days, said Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, senior secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, in a media briefing at the secretariat in Dhaka.

In the first week of September, job seekers also held protests with the same demand.

Meanwhile, one worker died and 30 others were injured in the Savar area on the outskirts of Dhaka when garment workers and law enforcement officers clashed, the local newspaper The Daily Star reported.

In another development, the Law Ministry said Monday that it has decided to withdraw cases under controversial cyber laws. Anyone currently in custody under such cases will be released immediately through legal procedures.

A total of 5,818 cases were ongoing with eight cyber tribunals throughout the country, it added.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took office as head of the transitional government on Aug. 8 following a student-civilian movement on Aug. 5 and forced then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to neighboring India.

At least 708 people were killed, mostly in shootings by law enforcement personnel, and over 19,200 injured, according to the Health Ministry.
​​​​​While the main Bangladesh Nationalist Party has demanded elections within three months, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has said the Yunus-led government will hold national elections within months.