Dismissed trainee sub-inspectors (SIs) of the 40th (cadet) SI batch of Bangladesh Police on Sunday staged a sit-in outside the Bangladesh Secretariat seeking to get back their jobs.
The protesters gathered at the western gate of the Secretariat, chanting slogans such as, "We have only one demand: quick reinstatement of job."
A total of 321 trainees were dismissed in phases, accusing them of breaching discipline during their training period just one month before graduation.
The protesters claimed their dismissal was unfair and said they were terminated over a baseless issue.
"In Bangladesh, there is no place for discrimination. Why should we bear the burden of serving the country without pay?" they said.
No incidents like breaching rules happened during the training, they said, adding that the academy's CCTV footage provises the proof.
"I was on leave on the day when the show-cause notice was issued. Yet, I was dismissed," said one trainee seeking anonymity.
"Most of us belong to lower-middle-class families, our family members are dependent, being dismissed is heartbreaking," said another trainee.
The protesters said they submitted a memorandum to the Home Ministry, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other relevant departments.
However, they were yet to get any response from the authority.
They will hold a press conference aiming to provide more details about their grievances and reinstatement.
The 40th (cadet) SI batch consists of 823 trainees who began basic training at the Sarda Police Academy on November 4, 2023.
They said that the dismissals occurred in phases: on October 21, 252 trainees were dismissed, on November 4, 58 trainees and on November 18 three trainees were dismissed.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com