Jobless teachers face lathicharge, water cannon

Several injured in action I Protesters’ meeting with Edu Minister today

Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 6

The Chandigarh Police on Tuesday used tear gas shells and water cannon and resorted to lathicharge to prevent the protesting non-permanent unemployed teachers from heading towards Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. At least 10 protesters, including women, and five cops were injured in the action.

Unemployed teachers, who had been protesting outside the Punjab School Education Board’s office in Mohali for more than three weeks, were on their way to Chandigarh to gherao the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. They succeeded in crossing the barricades near the YPS crossing to enter the UT.

The Chandigarh Police took action after the protesters started scaling the barricades set up to prevent their entry into the city. Earlier, on June 29, the non-permanent teachers tried to cross over to Chandigarh to gherao the CM’s residence. A few days ago, the Chandigarh Police failed to stop farmers who had also succeeded in breaking through the barricades.

Meanwhile, the Mohali administration immediately shifted the injured protesters to the Civil Hospital. They were discharged after treatment. Deputy Commissioner Girish Dyalan said the meeting of teachers with the Education Minister, which was scheduled for today, was postponed till tomorrow due to some unavoidable reasons. Following which, the teachers started their march. He said it would be ensured that the meeting took place tomorrow.