Retrenched 10,323 teachers start fast-unto-death

A large group of retrenched 10,323 teachers on Thursday started an indefinite "fast-unto-death" sit-in demonstration at Sakuntala road of Agartala city demanding reinstatement in service.

Among the factions of retrenched teachers, the Victimized 10, 323 teacher organization after waiting for past four and half years for reinstatement of their services, they finally on Thursday launched the hunger strike for indefinite period and among the agitated hundreds of retrenched teachers, around 50 teachers are taking part in the fast-unto-death programme.

Recently, the Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha had invited the representatives of retrenched teachers for discussion over their condition and demand and getting the details of their termination process, verdict of apex court and reply from Supreme Court under the Right to information, Dr Saha had assured the delegation of teachers that he would call for the next round of discussion after ‘Durga Puja’.

But, the teacher organization on Thursday launched their hunger strike and speaking with media persons, retrenched teacher leader Pradip Banik said that they have waited long enough for the government to take positive action to protect their jobs and families but nothing has so far been done.

He said that teachers do not have any and no other alternative but to launch the peaceful agitation which will continue till their demands are met and has also appealed to the Chief Minister to give a green signal for their reinstatement else they will continue their hunger strike till their death.

Meanwhile, the ‘Tipra-Motha’ supremo and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Thursday met country’s renowned and leading lawyer Kapil Sibbal in New Delhi along with representatives of retrenched teachers to discuss the issue of their dismissal from service and to find out the legal process for their reinstatement. Pradyot in a tweet message said that Sibal will represent them and he is confident of getting the teachers some justice.