Punjab: The relay hunger strike under the banner of Computer Adhyapak Hunger Strike Sangharsh Samiti, Punjab outside the District Administrative Complex (DC Office Complex) in Sangrur entered the 18th day. Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), Government Teachers Union (GTU) and Kirti Kisan Union have also extended their support to the agitating members of Punjab Computer Adhyapak Union. In support of the Computer Teachers, DTF State President Vikram Dev Singh, State Vice President Raghbir Singh Bhawanigarh and Kirti Kisan Union State Level Leader Nirbhay Singh observed a 24-hour relay hunger strike from September 17 (5 pm) to September 18 (5 pm).
In support of the demands of the Computer Teachers, today the members of Computer Adhyapak Union, DTF, GTU and Kirti Kisan Union took out a protest march from the relay hunger strike site to the Chowk near the flyover on Sangrur-Dhuri Road and near the residence of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. The protesters blocked traffic at the Chowk for about half an hour and raised slogans against the state government. The demands include merging computer teachers from Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES) into the education department, implementation of the sixth pay commission and providing financial assistance or government jobs on compassionate grounds to the families of about 100 deceased computer teachers.
The protesters cleared the road blockade after a woman officer of the district administration arrived at the spot and handed over a letter reminding her of their demands. District president of the Computer Teachers Association Nardeep Sharma said that he has asked the woman officer to organise a meeting of the association with the Deputy Commissioner so that they can ask the DC to arrange a meeting with the Chief Minister. Sharma said that there is a lot of anger among computer teachers due to the state government’s indifference towards their demands. He said that despite holding several meetings with ministers and administrative officials of the education department, the state government has not accepted any of their demands.
