It is a heart breaking story out of Punjab. Two unemployed ETT teachers tried to take their own lives by jumping into the Bhakra canal close to the Passiana police station. They were, however, rescued by divers soon after.
The teachers were staging a sit-in due to a lack of employment on the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway when the incident occurred.
According to Prem Singh Chandumajra, the teachers were forced to to take such a drastic step because the government is not listening to their concerns.
Some measures such as the government advertising 10,000 new jobs for them and not allowing those with a Bachelors in Education to apply for the posts.
The teachers ended the protest in the evening after an assurance in writing of a meeting with Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla, Education Secretary Krishan Kumar and Secretary to Chief Minister MP Singh.
During clashes with police and teachers, several protesters were detained and also suffered injuries during the face off with police.
The teachers also announced surrounding the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh's house. The police cane-charged and detained them near the Polo Ground, about 100 meters from the CM’s residence.
DSP Yogesh Sharma said: “Our men also suffered injuries in the clash. We will file an FIR under relevant sections. The detained protesters were released after a meeting was fixed between them and the Patiala MP.”
There is a strong sentiment that CM Capt Amarinder Singh, who had made loft promises to the youth before the elections, was now raining batons on them for demanding their rights.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.