Para teachers in Jharkhand to continue stir

Ranchi, Nov 10 (UNI) Despite Jharkand HRD Minister Bandhu Tirkey's warning, about one lakh para teachers, agitating since November 1, showed no sign of relenting and handed over memoranda to respective legislators and MPs across the state today.

The HRD Minister had issued a warning last evening to the agitators asking them to resume work by November 14. The minister said in the face of continuance of the stir, the government would get the vacancies filled up by teachers placed in the second panel.

Para Teachers Association general secretary Vinod Biahari Mahto told UNI over phone that they were ''least bothered by Mr Tirkey's repeated threats and deadlines'' in the past few days and asserted that the teachers were ''desperate'' enough to face challenges posed by the government.

''We are ready to overcome all hurdles as enough is enough,'' Mr Mahto said.

The teachers handed over memorandums on their one-point agenda - that they be made permanent - to MLAs and MPs in the state.

''We will continue with our agitation,'' Mr Mahto said.

The HRD Minister, in the past few days, had been maintaining that the government was considering their demand but it would not give in to such pressure tactics as it was unconstitutional.

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

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

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