With the indefinite fast by para-teachers in West Bengal to press for a hike in their salaries entering its eighth day on Friday, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar appealed to all sides concerned to initiate a dialogue for resolving the issue.
Over 1,000 para-teachers, who are contractual teachers in Government-run schools, are on a sit-in since November 11.
At least 37 of the protesting teachers are on an indefinite fast from November 15 and about 10 of them have fallen sick, the organisation which is spearheading the para- teachers’ movement said.
“@MamataOfficial. I appeal (to) all sides for dialogue at the highest level as over 1000 para-teachers are on a sit-in since November 11 and 37 of them are on an indefinite fast from Friday,” he tweeted.
Referring to the death of para-teacher Revati Raut in West Midnapore district, Dhankhar tweeted, “Reported death of Revati Raut, in West Midnapore and illness of others worrisome.”
Raut, a middle-aged para-teacher who had taken part in the demonstration by para-teachers here for several days, died at her residence at Debra in West Midnapore on Thursday, Bhagirath Ghosh, co-convenor of the ‘Para-Teacher Oikyo Manch’ which is spearheading the movement, said. TMC Lok Sabha party leader Sudip Bandopadhyay denied that a para-teacher has died and claimed it as “a false propaganda by BJP.