Police Foil March to Bengal Secretariat by Untainted, Sacked Teachers

Demanding the immediate publication of a list of "untainted teachers" by the Government of West Bengal, thousands of school teachers who lost their jobs following the Supreme Court's verdict in April, tried to march towards the State secretariat Nabanna, only to be foiled by a strong multi-layered police bandobust and lines of 10-ft steel barricades which were anchored to the ground.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

The protest was organised by the Jogya Shikshak Shikshika Adhikar Mancha. The peaceful protestors pressed for the publication of eligible and ineligible candidate lists, and to demand job reinstatement without reappearing for examinations - as ordained by the Supreme Court.

According to police sources, four major roads leading to Nabanna were blocked with tall barricades covered in nets to prevent climbing. Around 25 smaller barricades were also set up across Howrah.

A large police deployment included personnel from Howrah, Barrackpore, and Bidhannagar Commissionerates, as well as the Rapid Action Force (RAF) with tear gas and water cannons on standby. Drones were used for aerial monitoring, while police personnel formed the first line of a human barricade.

Despite steady rain, thousands of protesters gathered and tried to move toward Nabanna, leading to heated exchanges with police. Protesters alleged that they were being treated like criminals despite being declared untainted by the courts.