Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 26: At least 30 Education Volunteers (EVs) and Rehber-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers were injured, seven of them seriously, when police resorted to brutal lathi-charge on the peacefully demonstrating teachers in support of their pending demands near Press Club and Dogra Chowk here today.
A large number of Education Volunteers and ReTs from various districts of the region started assembling at Exhibition Ground, near Press Club here today from 11 am onwards. A massive rally and protest demonstration under the leadership of Vinod Sharma president J&K ReT Teachers’ Forum and Rajesh Singh- provincial president of the Forum was held.
They were demanding regularization of EVs as general line teachers who have completed their seven years in the department since March 2010, inclusion of five years rendered ReTs period for seniority/ promotion benefits, issuance of orders regarding enhancement in the honorarium of ReTs from Rs 1500 to Rs 3000 per month and implementation of pension scheme in favour of ReTs appointed before Ist January, 2010.
The agitating teachers, including large number of women then took out protest march towards Civil Secretariat at around 1 pm. As they moved towards Dogra Chowk and Lower Vinayak Bazar (Gumat), a strong police contingent resorted to unprovoked lathi-charge on the agitating teachers.
Many teachers were way- laid and mercilessly beaten up on the busy road. The traffic was disrupted on the busy road. The teachers showed resistance and some of them managed to break the cordon and move ahead. The police even did not spare the women teachers and many of them were hit by the lathis. A group of protesters, which reached at Gumat Bazar was again intercepted by cops. They were again lathi-charged and made to disperse. At least 30 teachers were injured in police action and about half a dozen of them got fractures and stitches.
The teachers then again reassembled near Press Club but they again were lathi-charged by cops and made to flee. It was said to be the worst-ever police action and was condemned by the general public witnessing it and many unions and associations of the employees. Several Forum members including State president Vinod Sharma, Najam Zafri -general secretary and Lekh Raj district president Udhampur were also injured in lathicharge.
Those admitted to GMC hospital have been identified as Shabir Ahmed from Rajouri, Gul Zubair from Ramban, Shabir Bandey, Rajeev Kumar and Lekh Raj from Udhampur, Najam Zafri from Jammu and Javed Iqbal from Gool.
Addressing gathering Vinod Sharma and Mr Jafri criticized the Government for not resolving pending issues of teachers, despite assurance by Devinder Rana, Political Advisor to Chief Minister and Finance Minister. They alleged that many EVs have completed even 8-9 years in service and they have not been considered. After two years service, they are brought under ReT and then after seven years of service they are to be regularized as general line teachers, but the Government is sleeping over the issue.
Many representations were given to Government but no body listened to them. The EVs are facing exploitation and compelled to work on meager wages of Rs 1000 and Rs 1500 per month, they added.
Meanwhile, senior JCC member Qayoom Wani has strongly condemned the police action in Jammu and said that brutal lathi-charge on peacefully demonstrating teachers was unfortunate. He said the Government has proved to be most ineffective. Instead of healing employees’ wounds, the Government was showering `lathis’ on them.
CPI(M) State secretary and MLA, M Y Tarigami also condemned lathi-charge on protesting ReT teachers and asked Government not to adopt coercive methods to suppress these hapless employees. Mr Tarigami castigated the Government for its attitude to treat ReTs as bonded labours. He said instead of assuring on the floor of the House to fulfill its commitment, the Government adopted such measures which are unjustified and undemocratic.
United Teachers Federation leader Satish Sharma also condemned police action and sought action against police officials responsible for the act.
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