Agitating para teachers to launch economic blockade

Ranchi, Nov 11 (UNI) Defying HRD minister Bandhu Tirkey's threat, the agitating para teachers in Jharkhand today decided to step up their protest in phased manners including economic blockade.

The estimated one lakh agitators demanding their post to be made permanent, have been holding demonstrations all over the state since November one and now they would mainly concentrate on the state capital in the run up to the state foundation day scheduled on November 15.

On Nevember 13, the Jharkhand Teachers Para Teachers Association would take out torch rally in the evening, said association spokesperson Rishikesh Pathak here.

Next day, the agitators would launch economic blocakde only here in which they urged the business establishment to down shutters and stop plying of commercial vehicles.

On the state foundation day they were scheduled to oppose the government fucntions by holding black flags, Mr Pathak said.

He termed as ''unfortunate'' the HRD minister's statement issuing warning to them to resume office by November 14.

The minister said the government would get the vacancies filled up by teachers placed in the second position of the panel.

Mr Pathak said, ''let the minister say what he feels like and take action against us but we are determined to continue with our agitation till our goal is met.'' Asked about the committee report regarding para teachers, he said the committee headed by Mr Girinath Singh, MLA, had visited Orissa and Chhattisgarh along with teachers to study modalities followed in those states.

But during preparing the report, the committee did not consult any of them, which was ''unacceptable''.

The report did not address any core issues raised by the teachers concerned, he said.

Meanwhile, the government was understood to have worked on ways to see an amicable solution accepted to both sides.

The HRD minister said the government would not give in to such pressure tactics as it was unconstitutional.

Chief Minister Shibu Soren expressed the hope that a solution would be arived at soon.

UNI PRS KK RC AS1825