Violent proceedings: Police baton charge protesters, arrest 40

NCHD employees were protesting against closure of their programme.

ISLAMABAD:

The disgruntled employees of National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) got more reasons to feel dejected on Wednesday.

The city police resorted to baton charge at the NCHD employees who had convened at the D-Chowk to protest their sacking. These protesters were trying to breach the security cordon and around 40 of them were rounded up in the process as well.

The employees of NCHD have started protest demonstrations over the closure of their programme, which is expected by June 30 under 18h Amendment. “The move will render 16,000 jobless,” said a protester.

The employees of the commission were trying to reach the Parliament House in the evening.

“They manhandled the Assistant Commissioner present there and some other police officials,” said a policeman who confirmed that 47 people were arrested.

Action was taken on violating section 144 imposed in the city, police said. After firing teargas shells to disperse the protesters, the police had to baton charge when the furious protesters started marching towards the Parliament House by crossing the barbed wires, a police official said.

Around 10 people were injured, including five women, during the clash with the police. Police said lady police constable and a head constable also suffered injuries. The injured were shifted to Government Services Hospital for first-aid.

Hundreds of employees of NCHD from across the country gathered at D-Chowk and held a demonstration against the government’s decision.

They were wearing arm bands and holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the proposed plan.

According to the decision of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), held on June 2, NCHD and National Education Foundation would be closed by June, 30.

In the CCI meeting, neither the federal government nor the provincial set ups, have agreed to adopt the commission in the backdrop of 18th amendment.

Speaking on the occasion, member NCHD Joint Action Committee, Abdul Fatah Marro said the decision of closing NCHD is an extreme step and sheer injustice with those who have been working for the programme for the last decade. He said, “7000 schools would be closed and around 500,000 children would be forced to leave education.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2011.