Gurdeep Singh Lali
Sangrur, 24 December
On the third day of the fast to death and the 117th day of the serial hunger strike, the computer teachers held a protest march in the city and demonstrated in front of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema’s residence by blowing ‘broomsticks’.
The computer teachers declared that they will not go back empty handed from the struggle which has reached a decisive point. In the coming days, echoes of the struggle will be heard throughout the state. The fast to death started by computer teacher Johny Singla under the banner of Computer Teacher Struggle Committee in front of the DC office has entered the third day today, while the hunger strike has continued for 117 days. Despite the cold weather, today a large number of computer teachers from across the state joined the fast-to-death march and raised their voice for their rights. Later in the afternoon, the computer teachers carrying broomsticks marched in front of the finance minister’s residence where they staged a dharna by stopping traffic and demonstrated by blowing brooms. On this occasion, leaders of Sangharsh Committee Rajwant Kaur, Sumit Sarin, Ranjit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Nardeep Sharma and DTF leader Raghvir Singh Bhawanigarh alleged that the government is not serious about the demands. He said that before the assembly elections, AAP had made promises to fulfill all the demands after forming the government, which were not fulfilled. He warned the government and said that now their struggle is not going to stop. They also distributed pamphlets to the passers-by to tell about the discrimination by the government.
Encouragement of teachers
Joni Singla, a computer teacher on a fast-to-death protest outside the DC office, said his spirits are high and he is not about to waver. He encouraged a group of computer teachers to jump into the struggle. Meanwhile, various speakers gave their views.