Srinagar, July 17: Police on Tuesday foiled the protest march of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers towards the Raj Bhavan and detained dozens of them.
The protest march was held under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) and was led by chairman, JKTF Abdul Qayoom Wani.
Hundreds of SSA teachers assembled at Sheri Kashmir Park here, carrying banners and raising slogans in favour of their demands.
The protesting SSA teachers said that they were forced to hit the streets because of the “lackadaisical approach” adopted by the previous governments towards their demands.
Demanding implementation of 7th pay commission, the protesting SSA teachers said that their salaries should be delinked from the state sector.
“We were assured by the former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti that all our demands would be addressed but none was addressed. We even offered Eid Nimaz at Pratap Park. It was after Mufti’s intervention that we returned to our homes,” said Aijaz Ahmad of Kupwara.
The protesting SSA teachers said that they have been suffering miserably because of the non-implementation of the new pay commission and irregularities in their salaries.
“We don’t get salaries in time. The benefits of seventh pay commission have been extended to other employees of the state government, why we have been deprived, they added.
The protesting SSA teachers said that they would continue their fight, unless and until all their demands were not met.
Meanwhile, as soon as the protesting SSA teachers marched towards the Raj Bhavan , they were stopped near DIPR office.
After the SSA teachers showed tough resistance, Police swung into action, used water cannons besides resorting lathi-charge to disperse them.
Addressing media persons, Abdul Qayoom Wani said that the protest was organized to apprise governor N N Vohra of the difficulties, being faced by 40000 SSA teachers, RMSA teachers and head teachers.
“These teachers are under mental stress. The salaries should be delinked and brought under state sector. For the last 4 months, teachers are with salaries,” he said.
He added that the committees formed from time to time to look into the issues of SSA teachers have done nothing concrete so far.