Tv10 Punjab
Punjab/Chandigarh Desk
8 February
Tensions flared at the Chandigarh-Mohali border today as Punjab school teachers, protesting for their long-standing demands, were met with heavy police action. What began as a sit-in protest outside the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) office in Mohali quickly escalated when the educators decided to march toward Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s official residence to voice their grievances directly.
The Standout at the Border
As the teachers moved in a massive procession, Mohali police initially attempted to contain them. However, the protesters managed to push through, reaching the barricades installed at the Chandigarh boundary. The Chandigarh Police, already on high alert, warned the protesters to retreat, citing that demonstrations are not permitted within the city limits.
When the teachers refused to back down and attempted to scale the barricades, the police deployed water cannons to disperse the crowd. The forceful spray caused a chaotic scene, leading to a physical struggle between the security forces and the protesters.
Casualties and Police Warning
Reports indicate that the confrontation resulted in injuries to several protesters, including women teachers who were caught in the middle of the scramble. Despite the soaking cold and the pressure of the water cannons, many teachers remained defiant, climbing atop the iron barricades to raise slogans against the state government.
The police eventually crossed over to the Mohali side to negotiate, reiterating that any attempt to enter Chandigarh forcibly would result in strict legal consequences. They warned that if the protesters took the law into their own hands, FIRs would be registered immediately.
The Core Issues
The teachers have been protesting over various issues, including the regularization of services, pay scale revisions, and better working conditions. This latest clash highlights the growing friction between the state’s workforce and the administration.