Teachers Continue Fast unto Death, Assam Government Remains Unmoved

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR, Aug 12: Though the hunger strike unto death, initiated by the All Assam Salary Deprived Working Teachers’ Union at the Tyag Kshetra campus of North Lakhimpur town entered the third day on Sunday, the Lakhimpur district administration showed no response to the protest.

On that day, several teachers suffered from health problems like high blood pressure, gastritis and headache. During the past two nights, the protesters faced much inconvenience as the Tyag Kshetra has not been electrified.

More than 11 organizations, including the Lakhimpur district units of AASU, MASS, AJYCP, AMSU, AKRSU, Nikhil Bharat Krishak Sabha and Senior Citizens Association extended their moral support to the teachers. Lakhimpur MP Pradan Baruah arrived at the spot to take stock of the situation there. He promised to raise the issue in the State Finance Department. He also promised to talk to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on August 17 about the regularization of the posts of 9,236 teachers under the union who were appointed during the period between1991 and 2001.

The Lakhimpur district unit of MASS submitted a memorandum to him, strongly urging him to negotiate with the State and Union governments with a view to immediately resolve the sensitive issue.