Agartala: The High Court of Tripura has served a notice to the state government seeking response on a writ petition filed by the terminated teachers after the Tripura Police denied them permission to resume their sit-in demonstration in front of Agartala City Centre from February 3.
The High Court on Wednesday served the notice to the state government seeking a response within March 1 next, said advocate Purushottam Roy Barman.
Speaking with reporters, Roy Barman, the counsel of the teachers said that the teachers filed a writ petition in the High Court and said that it is their fundamental right to hold peaceful demonstrations which were violated by the police.
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“The Sadar Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) denied permission to the teachers citing law and order situation. However, since December 7 they were holding a sit-in demonstration in front of Agartala city centre demanding recruitment which was stopped forcibly by imposing section 144 on January 27 last,” Roy Barman.
He also said that on January 27, early in the morning when the teachers were sleeping they were detained by the police and force was used to dismantle their protest site.
“Holding demonstrations is the democratic right to the citizens and the teachers were doing the same. The teachers have the intent to resume with their demonstration. However, after the Sadar SDPO has denied permission, they were compelled to move a petition in the High Court,” Roy Barman added.
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Speaking further Roy Barman said that denying permission is against the Tripura police Act since holding peaceful demonstrations is the democratic right for all.
“The police if required, can give some conditions, but they cannot stop a peaceful protest or demonstration,” Roy Barman opined.
Roy Barman said that the Court will hear the respondent (state) on March 1 and pass its order.
The leaders of the Joint Movement Committee (JMC), while reacting to the High Court’s order, said they hoped the High Court would take a decision on the matter realising the importance of the case.
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However, they expressed disappointment with the court’s order to hear the case after 18 more days. The leaders believe that this is an important issue, and they hoped that the court would soon announce its decision.
The sacked teachers’ body has expressed confidence in the court and said that they would wait for the hearing on March 1 next.
On January 27, after the protest turned violent, a total of 87 people were injured while trying to stop the movement of terminated teachers. Among them, 70 are teachers and 17 police personnel. Out of those 17 police personnel, six are female police personnel.
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