This day marks one of the biggest police actions taken in the city against teachers. In February 1954, secondary teachers had begun an agitation, their chief demands being an increase in salary and dearness allowance.
Thousands of teachers, united under All Bengal Teachers’ Association (ABTA), led by Left parties, had begun a strike and had organised a sit-in protest near the Governor house.
February 16 saw a violent confrontation between the protesters and the police. According to a New York Times report, the police attacked the protesters with tear gas and guns. At least four people were reported killed. The government later accepted the teachers’ demands.