Bhubaneswar: Commissionerate Police resorted to a lathicharge on agitating Sikshya Sahayak aspirants following a scuffle here Monday.
Large numbers of SS aspirants, including women candidates, were injured when police took to the lathicharge at Lower PMG in bid to disperse them.
The aspirants, under the banner of Sikshya Sahayak Aspirants Association, Orissa, clashed with security personnel here while they were agitating to press for their demands that include their recruitment across the state.
According to sources, the demonstrators began pelting stones at the police as a result of which the IIC of capital police station and few other personnel got injured. This infuriated the police who then rained lathis on the gathering and arrested more than 20 agitators.
“When their leaders were called for a discussion, the gathering turned violent and started hurling stones at us. That led to the injury of the Capital Police Station IIC and also some of our staff. The demonstrators were dispersed but they returned for the second time and blocked the road,” said Bhubaneswar DCP, Satyabrata Bhoi.
“The situation is presently under control and we are keeping a watch on the developments,” Bhoi added.
Asked about their agitation Jyotiranjan Rout, vice-president, Shiksha Sahayak Aspirants Association, said: “There are so many vacancies in various government institutions across the state. The government has to make new appointments of SS to support the teaching staff and also to ensure quality education.”
While participating in the agitation the protesters also criticized the government’s plan to appoint retired teachers in educational institutions.
“The government should make new appointments instead of going ahead with temporary measures. The education department’s plan to appoint retired teachers will shatter the dreams of thousands of teaching aspirants in the state,” added Rout.
On the other hand, School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra said that there is a delay in the engagement of the Sikshya Sahayaks as the case is in Orissa High Court.
“The advertisement for employment of Sikshya Sahayaks is sub judice. Court has ordered that candidates who have secured 45 per cent marks should also be given a chance. A new advertisement will be published and they can apply again,” said the minister.
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