Bidhannagar Police have registered a suo motu case against jobless teachers affiliated with the 2016 SLST-qualified “Adhikar Mancha” group following Thursday’s protest at Bikash Bhavan. The case includes charges of vandalising government property, obstructing government duty, and unlawfully accusing government employees. Police officials confirmed that multiple sections have been invoked based on on-site findings and administrative reports.
The protest began in the afternoon when a large group of teachers and education workers allegedly broke open the gates of Bikash Bhavan and entered the premises. The situation escalated by night, leading to a clash between protestors and the police. The protesting teachers have alleged that police personnel physically assaulted them during the confrontation. In response to the police action, they stated, “We did not indulge in any vandalism. We were protesting peacefully. The police are now using a few photos to discredit our movement.”
The protestors are demanding reinstatement into teaching positions after a series of court rulings led to the cancellation of their appointments made through the 2016 State Level Selection Test (SLST). They have claimed that the ongoing agitation is to secure what they describe as their rightful employment. Following the clash and subsequent case filing, the teachers reiterated their intention to continue their protest until their demands are met.