KATHMANDU: Teachers working on contract basis with the Tribhuvan University - nation's largest and oldest institution of higher education- today extended their programmes of protest by two more days.

Dhakaram Sapkota, joint coordinator, Contract Professors' Co-ordination Committee, said the agitating teachers would organise a rally from the TU premises to Ratna Park with black bands tied to their arms and mouth tomorrow and sit in in front of the official residence of the Prime Minister in Baluwatar on Saturday.

He said they would resume their sit-in protest in front of the VC's office from Sunday. "The TU paid no attention to our peaceful sit-in, compelling us to announce additional programmes also to draw the attention of other sectors concerned."

The teachers also plan to meet senior leaders of three major political parties -- Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist -- to press them for the fulfilment of their demands. Sapkota said security personnel manhandled with them today in their bid to enter the TU premises for a press conference. Some teachers are said to have sustained minor injuries during the scuffle.

The contract teachers have been demanding permanent status through internal competition. They have been agitating for one month.