MANSEHRA: Teachers on Thursday took to the streets here against what they called interference of the local government’s representatives in the affairs of the education department and torture of a schoolteacher by a district councillor.

“We will never tolerate any interference of LG representatives in the affairs of schools and education department. The councillor who thrashed a teacher should tender an unconditional apology for the torture otherwise we will widen the scope of protest to the entire province,” All Teachers Association president Shahid Mohammad Khan told protesters outside the press club.

The protesters shouted slogans for end to interference of the local government’s representatives in the affairs of the education department.

“We want unconditional apology from councillor Sardar Shah Khan, who dragged our teacher on the premises of the education department the other day,” said Mr. Shahid.

He added that the councillor not only humiliated teacher but also stopped children from going to the school.

“If the nazim respects teachers and their noble profession, then he should not get himself involved in the matter. Besides, he should also not ask the district education officer for the transfer of the schoolteacher in question,” he said.

The teacher leader demanded that the chief minister look into the matter and ensure dispensation of justice to the teacher.

Teacher leader Saeedur Rehman said though the PML-N should also ensure that his district councillor should keep away from teachers.

“It is good sign that the PTI government was committed to ending political interference in its departments, particularly education and police ones, but the local government representatives are creating hurdles to the duty of teachers,” he said.

Mr. Rehman said if the provincial and district governments didn’t check interference of local government representatives in the education department’s affairs, teachers would agitate.

INQUIRY SOUGHT: The people of Urban Union Council City No 1 met Mansehra deputy commissioner Iqbal Hussain and demanded the immediate restoration of water supply to their area.

They also sought an inquiry into the suspension of water supply.

“The people of the entire city, especially City Union Council 1’s, have no water supply for three weeks but both district and tehsil governments haven’t taken the issue seriously,” district councillor Sheryar Danish Khan told the DC on Thursday.

The councillor said the formation of local bodies didn’t help resolve civic problems in the district and instead, the situation had worsened.

The DC told visitors that he would ensure the early restoration of water supply and would form a committee to identify the problem areas and suggest corrective measures.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2016