Gurujis calls off agitation on CM's assurance

Bhopal, June 28 (UNI) Nearly 38,000 'Gurujis', who have put a seige in the state capital for the last three days to press their demand for better service conditions, called off their agitation after talks with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who assured to initiate steps for their regularisation in two months.

Madhya Pradesh Shiksha Guarantee Guruji Sangh President Sandarbh Singh Baghel, after talks with the Chief Minister, declared that the agitation was being called off. Mr Chouhan held out the assurance to initiate steps for the regularisation of Gurujis in two months, he said.

Mr Baghel said the Chief Minister had taken exception to the road blockade by the agitating Gurujis and said the contract teachers should have opted for dialogue instead of resorting to violent means. The Gurujis also expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for sympathetically considering their demands, he said.

Police resorted to lathicharge on the Gurujis, who blocked the Roshanpura square here on Tuesday, injuring more than 40 people, while the officials said few policemen were also injured in stone-throwing by the agitators.

UNI SD-KV SP 1405 Later, police advancing towards the Chief Minister's Residence. More than 40 people, including 21 police personnel, were injured.

Madhya Pradesh Shiksha Guarantee Schools' Guruji Sangh President Sandhabh Singh Baghel said they had not received any message for dialogue from Mr Chouhan. However, some worker leaders had expressed interested in mediation.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Guruji Sangh was held at Roshanpura Square in New Market area here today. Several Sangh leaders addressed the meeting.

The Guruji Sangh pledged to continue their agitation until their demands were fulfilled.

UNI