CONDEMN THE ARRESTS OF GUEST FACULTY LECTURES AT BATHINDA

BATHINDA POLICE ARRESTS GUEST FACULTY LECTURES & THEIR SUPPORTERS.

The police today came down heavily upon the Guest Faculty Lecturers, sitting on Dharna, in front of Govt Rajindera College, Bathinda. As a meeting was fixed with Sukhbir Badal Deputy CM Punjab to sort out their problems, a large number of Guest Faulty Lecturers have arrived from various Colleges in the state. When after marching from the Dharna site to nearby Dr.B.R.Ambedkar’s statue in front of the Mini-Secretariat, they were boarding their buses, the police swooped on them, took control of the buses and took them to Sangat Police Station. About 60/65 Guest Faculy Lecturers, mainly women and some members of Bharti Kissa Union & other fraternal organizations, who have come to support them were arrested and charged under section 283 IPC (Causing danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way), which attracts a maximum fine of Rs. 200/-.

The guest faculty lecturers are sitting on dharna across the state demanding the implementation of government's promise of paying them Rs 10,000 per month and 10 per cent increment. They also demanded not to be relieved for five months every year.

On hearing about the arrests, Association For Democratic Rights, some organizations of teachers & others assembled and conveyed strong protest to the Deputy Commissioner. They pointed out to him that a few days ago when a 1000 strong dharna was held by Youth Akali Dal Badal in front of the Mini Secretariat, the administration not only remained silent spectator, but extended them full courtesies & cooperation.

On the intervention of these organizations, the Deputy Commissioner promised to release all the arrested protestors. However it has been subsequently learnt that male Guest Facility Teachers have been released on personal bonds, but BKU activists have not yet been released.

Lok Morcha Punjab strongly condemns the arrest of Guest Faculty Teaches and their supporters from fraternal organizations, demands their immediate unconditional release and withdrawal of false criminal case registered against them u/s 283 IPC.