Self-immolation bid by three ETT teachers averted

Around 800 unemployed teachers from across Punjab had gathered in front of the residence of Punjab Education minister Bibi Upinderjit Kaur in Sultanpur Lodhi on Sunday afternoon to protest against the anti-education policies of the government.

Suddenly,three men — Kulwinder Singh,Sameer and Surjeet (all from Patiala) — emerged from the crowd,doused themselves with kerosene and climbed onto the stage.

“They were about to strike a match to set themselves ablaze but we managed to pacify them,” said Sultanpur Lodhi DSP Gurmeet Singh.

“This is a wrong trend. Teachers should not have to sacrifice their lives in the fight for their rights but unemployment has pushed teachers into depression,” said Jagtar Singh Jhabbar,the president of Unemployed ETT Union (Punjab),which had organised the protest.

Many emotionally charged teachers have contacted me,offering their lives for the cause. This is a tragic situation and the government should step forward to support its youth,added Singh.

The union is demanding that 2,200 vacant posts of teachers be filled up soon and youths from Punjab to be given preference for jobs.

Meanwhile,the condition of Harjeet Kaur,a member of the Unemployed ETT Union (Jammu Group) who has undertaken a fast unto death in Kapurthala,has deteriorated over the last week. On Sunday,she fell unconscious for three hours. Manpreet Kaur also joined the fast three days ago. The group has been sitting on dharna for over 50 days now demanding the filling of over 10,000 vacant seats of ETT (Jammu Group).