Gurpreet Singh :- In a dramatic escalation of their long-pending protest, nearly 180 ETT teachers serving in Punjab climbed atop water tanks and mobile towers across several villages in Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema’s constituency on Tuesday, alleging betrayal over unfulfilled assurances. Acting under the banner of their union, the teachers said they were compelled to adopt extreme measures after repeated meetings failed to yield any concrete resolution to their grievances.
The protesting educators maintained that they have been seeking redressal of issues dating back to the previous Congress regime and had pinned hopes on the current government’s pre-election commitments. According to them, promises made when the leadership was in the opposition have not translated into action after assuming office. They further alleged that instead of addressing their demands, they have been called for multiple meetings without meaningful outcomes.
Union president Kamal Thakur, who is leading the agitation, said the teachers would intensify their movement if the government continues to delay a decision. Protesters raised slogans against the minister and accused him of backtracking on assurances given earlier.
In addition to the high-rise protests, the teachers have begun an outreach campaign in more than half a dozen villages in the Dirba constituency, informing residents about what they describe as “unkept promises.” The administration is monitoring the situation, while the teachers remain firm on continuing their agitation until a formal announcement addressing their demands is made.
