Uttaranchal bandh against privatisation

     Dehradun: The Uttaranchal bandh called by the students of the State evoked firm response as hundreds of students forcefully closed business establishments, offices of both Centre and State government organizations in various parts of the State on Thursday. Life came to a halt in various parts of Uttaranchal, especially in areas like capital Dehradun, Garhwal, Kumaon, during the bandh. Students were protesting the State Government decision to privatise education and demanded immediate rollback of the decision to recognise 40 private BEd colleges in the State.

   Threatening to intensify their agitation if the government did not withdraw the decision, a section of students also expressed serious concern over the possible impact of the government decision on employment opportunities. "If the government fails to roll back the decision to privatise the State educational institutions, we will intensify our stir in the days to come. After formation of Uttaranchal State, this is the first time that the student community has launched a united agitation. If the decision on privatisation of education is not scrapped, we will have no other option but to intensify our stir," said an agitating student. Severely criticizing the State Government over the issue, students also alleged that the government was also planning to recognise more private institutions in days to come.

   "The Government decision on privatisation of education has reached its maximum level. The decision to privatise BEd colleges will definitely affect the poor students of the State. The State Government has sold the education system to private parties. We will continue our agitation till the government rolls back the decision," said another student. The students also burnt effigies of Chief Minister ND Tiwari during the bandh.