Bengal SSC candidates continue hunger strike

The 32 candidates who were empanelled after clearing the WBSSC examination but are yet to be appointed in state-run schools, continued their hunger strike Monday and sought the Bengal governor's intervention to resolve the matter.

As many as 96 youths started the agitation Jan 27 at the WBSSC (West Bengal School Service Commission) office in Salt Lake in east Kolkata, demanding employment in government-aided schools in accordance with their enlistment after passing the exam in 2012.

"The number of SSC candidates on hunger strike has come down to 32 since Jan 27. Several were hospitalised in the past two days after their health deteriorated. However, the agitators will not give up unless their demands are met," Haripada Chhatui, one of the agitators supporting the strike told IANS.

He said a delegation of four candidates went to submit a memorandum to the governor Sunday.

However, Governor Tripathi was at another event and therefore it was submitted to his aides-de camp. They were urged, through the official, to withdraw the strike and were told that Tripathi will look into it, said Chhatui.

He added that a section of the agitators is keen to meet the governor and apprise him of the situation.