Kerala LPST rank holders end 13-day protest after talks with education minister over recuritment of teachers

Kerala LPST rank holders end 13-day hunger strike after talks with education minister, with govt seeking 45 days to examine their appointment demands.

The All Kerala Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) Rank Holders Association ended their 13-day protesat on Tuesday after talks with Kerala education minister N Samsudheen, with the government seeking 45 days to examine the protesters’ demands.

All Kerala LPST Rank Holders Association’s secretary S Valarmathi ended her 13-day hunger strike on Tuesday. (ANI)

The LPST rank holders have been protesting for over a month, demanding appointments from the Kerala Public Service Commission’s rank list for Lower Primary School Teacher posts.

All Kerala LPST Rank Holders Association Secretary S Valarmathi, who concluded her 13 day-hunger strike on Tuesday, expressed optimism that their grievances would be resolved by September 24.

“Today is the 37th day of the protest. It is also the 13th day of the hunger strike. I am very disappointed that the government delayed the talks for so many days. However, I am happy that today’s discussion with the government ended on a positive note. I ended my hunger strike today. The minister gave me water, and I drank it. The government has asked for 45 days to examine our demands. I believe that the issues will be resolved in our favour by September 24. Although I have ended the hunger strike, the protest will continue in front of the Secretariat. However, there will be no slogan shouting or demonstrations as part of the protest, ”she said.

Over the month-long protest, candidates staged symbolic demonstrations such as eating grass outside the Secretariat.

The protest also drew visits from high-profile leaders across the state’s political spectrum, including BJP state VP Shone George, BJP state general secretary Anoop Antony Joseph, and Democratic Youth Federation of India state secretary VK Sanoj.