DADU, March 27 Three school teachers continued hunger strike unto death outside the press club here on Friday for the ninth consecutive day, seeking their four-year salary.

The condition of hunger strikers Qurban Ali Panhwar, Ghulam Hussain Panhwar and Ghulam Shabbir Zour deteriorated as they lost their weight by two kilogramme. Medical officer of Civil Hospital treated them at camp and advised hospitalisation of Urban Ali.

Ghulam Shabbir told journalists that they would continue hunger strike till release of their four years salaries. He alleged that education officials and the DCO were responsible for denial of salary to them, though Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, had issued directives to pay their salaries.

EDO Education Dadu, Sajan Mallah, said that to open closed schools, these teachers were appointed under a special arrangement and were to be paid salaries from the funds of the school management committees (SMCs).

On the directives of Secretary Education, he had verified the names of SMC teachers and sent him a list. He added that after his report the secretary had directed to pay salaries but funds were not made available. He hoped that the SMC funds would l be available soon and the salaries would be released to these teachers.

He said that total 600 SMC teachers were appointed from then SMC funds, which were basically provided by the Asian Development Bank for purchase of furniture and repair of schools.

Meanwhile, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz Chairman Basheer Qureshi visited the hunger strike camp and warned of joining the protest if salaries were not paid to teachers within three days. PML-N ladies wing Sindh President Sorath Thebo also visited hunger strikers' camp and assured support her party's support.

Social activists led by Dr Jabbar Babar and Inayat Jamali of Citizen Action Committee and SUP activists took out rallies in support of the teachers.