Tripura: Terminated teachers seek EMI relief to stop suicides

Agartala: A delegation of the terminated teachers on Monday met with the officials of the Tripura Gramin Bank in Agartala head office, demanding not to pressure teachers for EMI payments.

This comes three days after Uttam Tripura (32), one of the retrenched teachers from Kamal Kanta Para under the Belonia sub-division of Tripura’s South district, died by suicide after stress and mental trauma.

Speaking with reporters, Amulya Debbarma, one of the agitating teachers, said that the terminated teachers are under pressure to pay the EMI and loan amount even though they have been jobless for the last nine months.

“We have met with the bank authorities several times and requested them to not pressure the teachers for paying the EMI for loans taken while they were in service. We demand exemption from EMIs until the teachers are provided with alternate jobs in government departments ”, Debbarma said.

Also Read: Unable to clear debt, terminated teacher kills self in Tripura

Uttam Tripura is one of 79 teachers who have lost their lives in the last six years. Torn between a tough legal war with the state and a constant battle to provide for their families, some teachers have died by suicide, while most have succumbed to heart diseases triggered by trauma and stress.

He also said that the present government had assured them of alternate jobs in government departments, but nothing has been done for their relief.

“We took the loan as government employees and now when we get into service, only then EMI should be resumed by the banks. The Gram bank has been sending notices to the sacked teachers due to which Uttam Tripura recently killed himself failing to take the pressure any longer”, Debbarma added.

The delegation of the teachers under the banner of Joint Movement Committee (JMC) called upon the Tripura Gramin Bank officials at the head office in Abhoynagar and placed the memorandum.

“It is not our fault that we lost the jobs. We were teachers doing our duty. We lost the jobs due to the mistake of the government, and therefore the government should take the responsibility,” Debbarma opined.

Also Read: Watch: Terminated teachers of Tripura continue protest amid cold weather