Police cadets escalate protests, clash with security forces

Low-ranking policemen clash with CSF near the interior ministry's headquarters during nation-wide protests over parliament delays in addressing their long-held demands

Low-ranking policemen escalated their demonstrations Monday, clashing with Central Security Forces (CSF) near the interior ministry's headquarters after receiving news from officials that parliament has, in fact, not received draft laws on police wages and promotions, contrary to what the ministry had earlier announced.
In the wake of protests from police cadets a couple of months ago demanding higher wages and pensions, as well as overhauling the promotions system, the ministry of interior had announced that the laws and regulations that affect those issues are being mulled over by parliament.
Parliament Speaker Saad El-Katatni, however, revealed that People's Assembly (parliamentary lower house) has not actually received any bills regarding the police.
The news infuriated low-ranking policemen, who have been repeatedly protesting since Egypt's general 2011 uprising for similar demands.
Hundreds of Cairo-based policemen rallied before the interior ministry's premises on Monday morning and others shuttled in from different governorates, joining them later in the day to voice their anger.
The ministry's building was heavily guarded by CSF, who closed all roads leading to the ministry. This further infurated protesters and they locked horns with CSF at the site.
The clashes saw five injured. Some CSF troops left their positions, ignoring their superior's orders. Moreover, a sit-in began later that day, which protesters say is planned to last until Friday.
Threats
The general coordinator of the cadets' union, Ahmed El-Helbawy, issued a strongly-worded ultimatum, released by Al-Ahram's daily paper, warning of further escalations if an urgent People's Assembly session is not held to discuss the demands that police regulations be amended.
El-Helbawy announced that the ongoing protests would turn into a country-wide general strike should parliament shrug off their demands, Al-Ahram reported. He also said protesters would shut down Mogamma, the largest governmental administrative building in Egypt, located in Tahrir Square near the interior ministry.
Blocking railways in a number of governorates was also among the threats.
Other low-ranking policemen in several governorates already began a sit-in three days ago in front of security directorates and police stations.
Their demands are almost exactly the same. They also demand that the military stop trying police cadets through military courts and to have equivalent medical insurance to that of police higher-ranking officers.
In Upper Egypt (southern Egypt), the Qalioubiya governorate and the city of Assiut witnessed police demonstrations, as well. Police are also protesting in Egypt's northern Delta governorates, Damietta and Menoufiya, as well as North Sinai's Al-Arish.
Individual efforts
High-ranking officers have been trying individually to end the on-again off-again protests by low-ranking policemen.
In the upscale district of Maadi, Cairo, officers appeased the anger of police cadets who locked officers inside the police station and also prevented citizens from entering.
Similarly, in Manshiyat Nasser, the slum known as "Garbage City" located near the Autostrad Highway outside of Maadi, police cadets locked up the chief officer inside the station in frustrated protest.
In Sohag, Upper Egypt, policemen blocked the path of the railroad tracks with wooden and steal blocks.
At Cairo Airport, low-ranking policemen ended hours long strike after police officials promised them to meet their demands; mainly higher wages and benefits. Protesters said they would go on another strike in a fortnight if the officials do not live up to their promise.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/40584.aspx