Government primary school teachers across the country began a work abstention from Sunday to press home their three-point demand, including upgrading their pay scale to the 10th grade.

The announcement came after police allegedly charged at demonstrating teachers with sound grenades and water cannons near Shahbagh on Saturday afternoon as they tried to break through a barricade. Several teachers and journalists were injured during the incident.

Following the clash, the teachers gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar, where they declared the nationwide work abstention.

The teachers alleged that police attacked them without provocation and demanded that those responsible be identified and brought to justice. They also vowed to continue their movement until their demands are met.