BHUBANESWAR: Hundreds of high school teachers today got batoncharged while attempting to rush towards Naveen Niwas on Monday evening.
The agitating teachers and employees of 662 high schools, which have so far been denied regular grant in aid (GIA), were staging a dharna near the Sishu Bhawan Square since the morning hours.
They were held back by the police all through the day since they were eager to march towards the CM’s residence to lodge their protest and attract Naveen’s attention.
Even as the cops kept a watch on them, allowing them to take out a rally to a particular point, the teachers had apparently decided to hide their intent of breaking the law. The road to Naveen Niwas is out of bounds for agitation of all kinds.
Till about 9 pm, the teachers and employees kept quiet, but all of a sudden surprised cops by running towards the airport square. When the police chased them, they resorted to stone pelting. This followed a heavy batoncharge.
Some of the photo journalists who were caught between the stone pelting and baton charge sustained injuries in the melee.
The teachers and employees have been seeking abolition of block grant system which they say should be replaced by 100 percent grant in aid. They also are demanding 169 left out high schools to be included in the list while the benefits of Sarva Siksha Abhijan and Rashtriya Madhyamika Sikhya Abhijan be extended to these instiutions.
