Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 12 2010:
In support of the agitation being launched by the Joint Administrative Council of AMTUC and AMGEO which is demanding implementation of the 6th Central Pay recommendations in toto, around 1500 teachers today staged a Wakat Meepham at the office complex of ZEO Zone-II, Imphal East.
Consequently, normal functioning of classes in Government schools under Imphal East district remained affected today.
The protest demonstration was organised by Council of Teachers' Association (COTA), which is a joint body of four organisations of the teachers working in elementary level to higher secondary level.
Talking to mediapersons on the sideline of the demonstration, M Devendro, vice president of Government Higher Secondary Lecturers' Welfare Association, which is a constituent unit of COTA, pointed out that the pay scale recommended by the Central 6th Pay Commission had already been implemented and enjoyed by the employees in other States of the country.
Teachers have been staying away from the ongoing cease work strike of the Government employees in consideration of the students.
However, as the demand is justifiable, they have also started joining in the agitation, he said, adding that on April 6, teachers have observed cease work strike for one day only.
In continued support to the JAC and its demand, a similar protest demonstration would be launched by the teachers under ZEO Zone-IV (Bishnupur) tomorrow and it would be followed by the teachers in Thoubal, Senapati, Churachandpur, Ukhrul and Tamenglong one after another, he informed.
As for the Imphal East, the protest demonstration was held on April 9 .
Devendro warned that if the Government continues to remain indifferent to the demand of the JAC, then the teachers may also be constraint to launch mass court arrest.
It is said that COTA has a total of 12,000 members (teachers).
Meanwhile, our Jiribam correspondent reports that teachers in the sub-division also staged a Wakat Meepham over the same demand today.
The Wakat Meepham held in front of Congress Bhavan, Jiribam from 10 am to 4 pm, was attended by around 100 teachers.