Bandarban: Indigenous people here Sunday laid a siege to roads and waterways in the upcountry Ruma upazila demanding appointment of “permanent residents” to the posts of assistant teacher in government primary schools.

The agitated tribal people took to the street in the morning and brought out procession in the upazila headquarters to press home their demand. They also blocked the roads and waterways during the demonstrations.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saifur Rahman took initiative to reach an agreement with the demonstrators.

Additional riot police were sent to Ruma from Sadar upazila to tackle the situation. The protesters removed their barricades at about 1:30pm as high police officials assured them of looking into the matter.

Sui Ching Marma, President of Teachers Recruitment Implementation Movement Committee, said, “We will carry on the movement until our demand is met.”

The committee has staged demonstrations for last few days in protest against alleged irregularities in primary schoolteacher recruitment process in the upazila.

BDST: 1320 HRS, May 16, 2010
BD/RT/LY/MUA