CHENNAI: The day after he consumed cleaning acid while under police detention, a part-time teacher from Perambalur died without responding to treatment on Wednesday.
The deceased, Kannan (42), was part of a statewide agitation by part-time teachers demanding permanent employment and improved remuneration.
According to police, the protest by part-time teachers in Chennai entered the 7th day on Wednesday. Kannan was among the hundreds of protestors who were detained on Tuesday and taken to a private community hall in Vanagaram as a preventive measure.
At the community hall, Kannan consumed the cleaning acid in the washroom and collapsed. He was rushed to the Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. However, he died without responding to treatment on Wednesday.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami said the Stalin government is responsible for Kannan’s suicide and that the DMK’s false promises have claimed the life of a teacher.
Nearly 12,000 part-time teachers in state-run schools have been protesting for years, demanding regularisation. They were recruited in 2012 on a pay of Rs 5,000 per month, which now stands at Rs 12,500. On Wednesday, the government agreed to increase their salary by Rs 2,500.