Protesting teachers booked in Patiala

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 12

Patiala police today booked over two dozen unemployed ETT/TET teachers, including those who had jumped into Bhakhra canal.

The unemployed teachers were booked under Sections 309, 283, 120-B and 188 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 8-B of the National Highways Act, 1956.

The ETT/TET pass teachers had yesterday blocked the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway near Passiana. During the protest, two ETT/TET pass teachers had jumped into Bhakra canal. However, they were immediately rescued.

The ETT/TET pass unemployed teachers’ union, commenting on the FIR, said instead of handing job letters to the teachers, the government was registering FIRs against them.

Union member Deep Banarsi said, “Every time we hold peaceful protests, the police file FIRs against us. It looks as if demanding jobs has become a crime in the state. The government is out to harass jobless qualified youth by registering FIRs against them.”

Deteriorating health

Meanwhile, the health of two ETT/TET pass unemployed teachers, who have been protesting atop a mobile for the last nearly three weeks, deteriorated today. Medical officers tried to contact the protesting teachers, but they refused to the help.

AAP MLA from Barnala and party’s youth wing president Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, after meeting the ETT/TET pass teachers in Patiala today, said over the last four and a half years Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh didn’t fulfil even a single promise he made during the elections.

“He continues to run away from his promises,” said Gurmeet Singh.

He further said the youth had enthusiastically handed over the state to Captain Amarinder Singh, hoping that he would give them employment, but the senior Congress leader and Punjab Chief Minister was reneging on his promises.

The AAP leader alleged that certain posts in the government departments of Punjab were being abolished, thereby reducing the avenues for future employment.