Teachers clash with police in Lucknow, 30 injured

LUCKNOW - At least 30 people, including senor police officers, were injured Tuesday as hundreds of temporary teachers in several government-run primary schools, demanding regularisation of their service and hiked salaries, clashed with the police here, officials said.

Around 25 teachers and five policemen, including Deputy Inspector General (Lucknow) Rajiv Krishna, were injured as the demonstrations in Wazirganj area turned violent.

Police conducted a baton-charge to disperse the protesting teachers who vandalised public property and vehicles.

“We had to use force in order to prevent the teachers from being unruly. The teachers not only pelted stones at us, they also targeted a number of vehicles and public property during their protest,” Superintendent of Police (Crime) Gyan Prakash, who was also injured during the protest, told IANS.

“We had to seek help from various police stations in order to bring the situation under control,” he added.

Police said at least 40 of the protesters have been detained for the violence.

“Heavy security has been deployed in the area. The situation is well under control. Senior district administration officials have reached the spot and they are trying to fix a meeting of temporary teachers with officials of the education department,” an official of the district administration said.