YAVATMAL:-Teachers' strike enters tenth day, no end in sight

The senior college teachers having allegiance to the Nagpur University Teachers' Association (NUTA) affiliated to the Maharashtra
Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisation (MFUCTO) have resolved to intensify their ongoing agitation which entered tenth day today. A decision to this effect was taken at an emergency meeting held at Lok Nayak Bapuji Aney Mahila Mahavidyalaya on Wednesday.

According to the district unit president of MFUCTO Prof. Shankarrao Sangale, his union has decided to intensify their ongoing agitation for the implementation of VI pay commission recommendations and resolving the hurdles in the NET/SET affected lecturers across the state.

"We have launched the indefinite cease work' agitation from July 14 last and it entered tenth day without any sign of amicable settlement," Sangale said and added that they would intensify their agitation. As a part of their agitation they will resort to ministers' gherao'. "We are agitating in a peaceful manner... perhaps that is the reason why state government is ignoring our agitation," said Sangale, adding, "Over 700 lecturers including readers and professors have joined the strike in Yavatmal district."

Because of the strike teaching and all other academic activities of the senior colleges in the district have been adversely affected. So much so the students and their parents have urged the state government to find an amicable solution to the demands of the teachers.

The parents' association spokesperson Sanjay Deshmukh expressed deep anguish over the continuance of the strike and the indifferent attitude of the state. Speaking to TOI he said, "Our children are at the receiving end for no any fault of theirs. Hence, the striking teachers and the government should come to a settlement as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, various unions of students and employees have extended their support to the teachers' strike and warned the government that they will resort to mass agitation if the demands of the teachers are not met with.