Cops use water cannons on protesting teachers, 7 hurt

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 13

Around seven computer teachers were injured as the police used water cannons on them and lab assistants here on Wednesday.

This is the second time in a week when the use of water cannons has injured people. Similar incidents had happened in the recent past — on June 8, two teachers were hurt and on May 30, about 30 teachers were injured.

As the protesting computer teachers and lab assistants marched towards Siksha Sadan in Sector 5, which is the headquarters of the Education Department, the police barricaded the area. 

The teachers and lab assistants were trying to cross over the barricade when the police used water cannons on them.

The protesters were demanding a hike in salaries, as “promised by the government.” 

They also demanded salaries during the winter and summer vacation and to the women staff on maternity leave.

The protesters alleged that in December last year, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had agreed to accept their demands — increasing salary and protecting their jobs. 

They said five months had passed, but the government had not issued any order to fulfil its promises. 

Protesters’ demand

The protesters were demanding a hike in salaries, as “promised by the government”. They also demanded salaries during the winter and summer vacation and to the women staff on maternity leave. The protesters alleged that in December last year, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had agreed to accept their demands — increasing salary and protecting their jobs. They said five months had passed, but the government had not issued any order in this regard.

Similar incidents

This is the second time in a week when the use of water cannons has injured people. On June 8, two teachers were hurt and on May 30, about 30 teachers were injured.