Para teachers's strike enters 8th day

Ranchi, Nov 8 (UNI) The para teachers, who have been on strike for the past eight days, today said they would not relent till they were made permanent by the Jharkhand government.

HRD Minister Bandhu Tirkey had been maintaining that the government was perusing over their demand but would not give in to such pressure tactics as it was unconstitutional.

About one lakh para teachers had been on strike since November one leading to standstill across the state with Kolhan region, comprising East and West Singbhum and Saraikela Kharsawan districts, being hardest hit.

However, Chief Minister Shibu Soren expressed hope that a solution would be arrived at soon.

The JSPTA was burning effigies of the HRD minister to mark their protest.

JSPTA sources said they were expected to call on the CM on November 10 and hand over a memorandum in this regard.

The government had earlier announced to hike the pay of the para teachers to Rs 5,000 but it was yet to be implemented, the agitators alleged.

''Many of us are qualified after obtaining masters and B Ed degrees. But the government seemed to be very reluctant to pay heed to us,'' they said.

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