Police use force to disburse protesting teachers; 4 injured

'Rehbar-e-Taleem' teachers are appointed on a temporary contract in education department.

Led by state president of JK ReT teachers forum, Vinod Sharma, over 400 teachers today assembled outside Press Club here and took out a protest march towards Civil Secretariat to press for their demands.

However, a large number of policemen deployed at Dogra Chowk tried to stop them, resulting in clashes. Police resorted to cane-charge to disperse them.

According to police, four teachers were injured and admitted to a hospital.

However, Sharma claimed that at least six teachers were injured.

Sharma condemned the police action against teachers protesting "peacefully" for their demands and announced that the forum would sit on hunger strike from tomorrow to press for their demands.

"We are demanding immediate regularisation of education volunteers, who have completed 7 years of services in the department, as general teachers," Sharma said.

He also demanded inclusion of five years of ReT period for seniority and promotional benefits, old pension scheme for ReT teachers before 1-1-2010 and issuance of formal order regarding enhancement of honorarium from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per month.