Tension prevailed at the lower PMG here as thousands of agitating Ganashikshaks on Thursday tried to force their way by breaking first police barricade to advance towards the Assembly.
However, the security personnel managed to pacify them and avoided a flare-up. The agitating teachers who demonstrated in front of the Assembly under the banner of the State Ganashikshak Mahasangha to press their demands came in a rally and tried to move towards the Assembly by breaking the first security cordon. They even dug out the bamboo barricade.
Notably, the protesting teachers have been demanding regularisation of their service, career advancement and salary hike. On December 10, 2012, they had organsied a demonstration before the Assembly and in front of the residences of MlAs protesting State Government's apathy. Mahasangha general secretary Bulu Behera said, "The Mass Education Minister on many occasions had announced in the Assembly about an order that contained regularisation of the teachers who have completed six years of service. Even, an inter-departmental committee was formed to examine the demands of the teachers. They even took two months time. We urge the Government to consider our demands at the earliest failing which we will intensify our stir."