Jyoti Kendra Teachers Clash with Police on Independence Day Protest

Teachers from the Jyoti Kendra Shiksha Karmi Santha faced a police blockade during their protest in Chachal on August 15, coinciding with India’s Independence Day. The educators were attempting to march from their demonstration site to Khanapara, where they sought to meet Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding their ongoing demands for job regularization.

Since initiating their indefinite strike on July 23, the teachers have expressed frustration over the lack of progress on their demands. They allege mistreatment by law enforcement and claim they were not allowed to voice their grievances to the Chief Minister. As a result, three protesters sustained injuries and were transported to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for medical attention.

According to Rejaul Islam, secretary of the Jyoti Kendra Shiksha Karmi Santha, the educators have engaged in discussions with the Education Minister nearly seventy times over the past weeks, but these meetings have not yielded tangible results. “The government promised regularization of our jobs, but nothing has happened,” Islam stated. “We should be in schools teaching, but instead, we are here, with no water or electricity, protesting in difficult conditions.”

Islam emphasized that teachers from across Assam have united in this protest, demonstrating a collective resolve in their demands. He added, “If the Chief Minister cannot meet us, he should send an authorized official.”

Despite the police intervention, the protesters managed to commemorate Independence Day by hoisting the national flag before their march. Local authorities have called for dialogue but have yet to announce any formal negotiations regarding the teachers’ demands.

The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between educators and the state government, with teachers advocating for job security and a response to their longstanding requests. As the protests continue, many are left questioning the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of its educators.