By Tripura24.in Reporter
Agartala: Tension flared in the heart of the capital today as dozens of TET-I and TET-II qualified job seekers were detained by the Tripura Police during a protest demonstration. The agitating youths, who have been waiting for their appointment letters for months, gathered in front of the Education Department (Shiksha Bhavan) to demand immediate recruitment to fill the thousands of vacant teaching posts across the state.
The protest, which began peacefully, took a dramatic turn when the candidates attempted to march toward the Finance Minister’s office after failing to meet with high-level education officials.
“Viswaguru Only with Teachers”: Protesters’ Cry
Carrying banners and placards with slogans like “Viswaguru will only happen when teachers are hired,” the qualified candidates highlighted the irony of a severe teacher crisis in state schools while qualified individuals remain unemployed.
Key grievances raised during the protest included:
- Recruitment Delay: Out of approximately 45,000 candidates who appeared for the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), only about 4% (roughly 1,488 for TET-II and 368 for TET-I) qualified, yet the government has not initiated the final induction.
- Administrative Inertia: Protesters alleged that despite completing document verification, the Teachers’ Recruitment Board, Tripura (TRBT) has been slow in issuing certificates and appointment orders.
- School Crisis: The agitators pointed out that many rural and urban schools are struggling to conduct classes due to an acute shortage of staff, leading to frequent protests by students and parents.
Police Action and Detention
As the protesters began their march from the Education Department toward the office lane, a large contingent of police and security personnel intercepted them.
- Detention: When the agitators refused to disperse, police moved in to clear the road, detaining dozens of men and women.
- Current Status: The detained candidates were bundled into police vehicles and taken to the AD Nagar Police Ground.
