Arrest fails to deter retired teachers

PANJIM, MAY 28
Police action didn’t deter the agitated teachers of Discriminated Teachers Forum to continue their hunger strike on Friday in an attempt to call the attention of the authorities concerned to take note of their grievances.
Around 84 teachers aged over 60 were detained today morning at the Panjim Church Square, here, from where they were to take the road to the Chief Minister’s official residence to start the hunger strike.
Well aware of the teachers’ move of the hunger strike, the police on Thursday night had imposed Section 144 up to 200 metres from the CM’s official residence.
The teachers were detained sometime around 9.30 am and released in the afternoon at 2.45 pm. The police tried to dissuade the teachers from continuing their hunger strike by giving them lunch, but the latter were adamant in their resolve to continue.
After coming out of the police station they moved to the Captain of Ports Jetty, to continue their strike. President DTF Nevis Rebello said the teachers have faced injustice and the police action will not stop them from continuing with the strike till their grievances were resolved.
Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, who visited the police station to support the demands of the senior retired teachers, said the Government should take into account a few demands and try to fulfill the same.
He was critical of the police detaining the teachers. 
The senior retired teachers, who allege they were forced to retire at the age of 58, as result of change in rules, are demanding for their two years pay benefits along with six pay commission arrears.