Dozens hurt as cops charge batons on agitating nurses

Dozens of nurses were allegedly injured after police charged batons when the demonstrators tried to forcefully enter into the Health Minister Mohammed Nasim’s Dhanmondi residence this evening.

“Cops charged batons when the unemployed nurses tried to enter the Health Minister’s house,” Mazharul Islam, joint secretary of Bangladesh Basic Graduate Nurses' Society, told the Daily Star over phone.

The injured were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, he said.

Earlier in the afternoon, the unemployed nurses took position in front of Health Minister Mohammed Nasim’s Dhanmondi residence as the deadline set by them for arranging a meeting with the prime minister lapsed today.

“From Central Shaheed Minar, we proceeded towards the minister’s residence and took position there,” Nahida Akhter, general secretary of Bangladesh Basic Graduate Nurses' Society, told The Daily Star over phone.

The agitating nurses would continue to stay there until any amicable solution is reached on their demands of postponing the recruitment exam slated for June 3, she added.

Unemployed nurses have been demonstrating since early April protesting a Public Service Commission (PSC) circular of March 28 on recruiting 3,616 senior nurses in public hospitals, which says applicants below 36 and attaining Bachelor of Science and diploma in nursing had to take an exam.

The nurses said the exam prerequisite was unjust because those who attained the educational qualifications a few years back and approaching the age might be left out.

Earlier, the health minister pledged that he would arrange a meeting with the prime minister by May 24 as she could give a decision, but it was not met.

Later on May 30, Nasim again pledged arranging the meeting by June 1.

“As the office hour ended today without a meeting with the prime minister, we took position in front of the health minister’s residence. We will continue it,” Nahida Akhter said.