LAMKA, October 31: Around 40 teachers from Churachandpur district today participated in the Lamka-leg of the marathon relay hunger strike called by the All Manipur Elementary Teachers’ Association (AMESTA) under the banner “Requisite Qualification Scale” today at IB Road, Lamka near the Churachandpur Government High School.
The demonstration was also attended by representatives of the association led by general secretary Ch Shantakumar Singh. The demonstrating teachers’ were seen waving placards which read ‘Keep status of teachers,’ ‘regularise requisite scale/ higher scale,’ ‘save teachers life,’ ‘issue concrete order of requisite qualification scale/ higher scale,’ etc.
Secretary of the Churachandpur branch of the association Zote said the teachers of the district are also victims and they also support the protest and are even ready to extend it to fast unto death, if the State cabinet remains oblivious to their demands. Shantakumar said the relay hunger-strike was started on October 13. The demonstration has been held in all districts ever since and today’s is the last leg, he said.
The agitation will however, be resumed from November 3 with all the 161 affected teachers to stage a hunger-strike in Imphal, he said.
The teachers are demanding requisite qualification and higher salary scale and said it will continue to agitate until their demands are met.