State BJP on Thursday alleged that slogan-shouting and stone-pelting by a small group of people at the venue of Statehood Day celebration in Morhabadi was done at the behest of congress and the JMM.

State BJP spokesperson Pratul Shadeo stated that congress had given hint of their plan on Wednesday when its leaders said they would take to the streets on issue of para teachers. The JMM was also talking of a do or die battle on the issue, he said.

The BJP leader’s reaction came after clash between the para-teachers and the police at the venue of Statehood Day celebration that left several people injured.

The teachers had gathered at the spot to stage protest in support of their demands including regularization of service. Police had to burst tear gas shells and resort to lathi charge to disperse the group who had started pelting stone on the police after a while.  

“It was the encouragement provided by the leader of both the political parties which led a group of para teachers to disrupt the state’s foundation day function,” Sahdeo claimed.

He said the concept of appointing para-teachers was formed by former PM late Atal Bihari Vajpayee adding that over the years the teachers have been provided several benefits including maternity leave, extension of the retirement age to 60 and 50 per cent reservation in appointment in government jobs.

He said the BJP believes that teacher cannot throw stones on the police adding they were of anti-social character if they did it.

The BJP spokesman informed that a committee headed by the chief secretary is examining their demand adding at this juncture the teachers should not have resorted to agitation at the behest congress and the JMM.

He said JMM and the congress have shown their real face by encouraging anti-social elements to stage protests on the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.Sahdeo asserted that State government was trying to help the para-teachers but opposition parties were trying to politicize the entire issue and spread lawlessness.

He expressed regret that some media persons were also injured in the clash adding strict action should be taken against the guilty after an inquiry.The state administration should identify the people who are trying to play politics in the name of para teacher and take strict action against them, he said.