Date:11/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/11/stories/2005021105770400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Teachers gherao minister

By Our Staff Reporter

NELLORE, FEB. 10. Tension and utter chaos prevailed on the Zilla Parishad premises after a large number of teachers and their representatives gheraoed the Minister for Primary Education, N. Rajyalakshmi, here on Thursday. They demanded revival of common service rules, removal of treasury control over salaries of aided municipal teachers and sanction of 2 notional increments for apprentice teachers.

In fact, the teachers were waiting for the Minister to enter the ZP compound after her deliberations at the Irrigation Advisory Board (IAB) meeting at the Golden Jubilee Hall and immediately surrounded her the moment she entered the ZP compound. They blocked her vehicle and raised slogans demanding immediate solution to their long pending demands.

Dharna staged

Sensing the mood of the agitators, Ms. Rajyalakshmi, remained passive allowing the teachers to continue their protest. The teachers then squatted on the ground and the police had a tough time in controlling the agitators.