Civil Defence Disaster Mitra workers stage shirtless protest march to Bikash Bhavan over job demand

Tension flared outside Bikash Bhavan in Salt Lake on Wednesday after a protest by temporary Civil Defence Department employees escalated into a clash with police. Demonstrators demanding regularisation of their services and a salary hike attempted to march towards the administrative headquarters, triggering scuffles with security personnel. Several protesters stripped to the waist and shouted slogans against the government, leading to chaos in the high-security zone for hours.

The employees, many of whom have been serving in temporary capacities for years, assembled near the main gate in the morning. Their key demands include permanent appointments and implementation of the principle of “equal pay for equal work.” The gathering initially began peacefully but grew tense as protesters tried to push past barricades to enter the premises.

Police personnel deployed at the site blocked their entry, citing security concerns. As tensions mounted, some demonstrators removed their shirts in a dramatic display of protest. When a section of the crowd allegedly attempted to remove barricades and breach the security cordon, police used mild force to disperse them. Several protesters were detained and taken away in police vans.

No serious injuries were reported, but the incident raised concerns about security arrangements around the state’s key administrative hub. Senior police officials reiterated that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, attempts to disrupt law and order will not be tolerated. Additional forces remain deployed in the area, and the situation is currently under control.