KATHMANDU: Contract teachers of Tribhuvan University staged a sit-in in front of the southern gate of Sighadurbar for the third consecutive day today.

They are drawing the attention of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, who is also the chancellor of the university, on their demands. Around 400 contract teachers from Mechi to Mahakali participated in the sit-in. At least 231 teachers were arrested by security personnel and set free later.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, Dhakaram Sapkota, joint coordinator, Contract Professors' Co-ordination Committee, said: "Despite organising sit-ins before the Vice Chancellor's office for a month, our genuine demands have not been fulfiled, as such we are staging this sit-in in front of Singhadurbar to draw the attention of the Prime Minister." According to Sapkota, as none of the teachers hired on contract basis till 2007 has been given permanent status, they have been demanding permanent status through internal competition now.

"We also staged a sit-in in front of the official residence of the PM last Saturday, but that was also not so effective, therefore this sit-in at Singhadurbar," he added.

He further warned that if the sector concerned failed to listen to them and fulfil their demands, they would come up with more severe protest beginning next week. According to him, a delegation of contract teachers met Sushil Koirala, acting president of Nepali Congress and Bharat Mohan Adhikari, politburo member of the CPN-UML. The two leaders have assured the teachers that they would take their demands to the authorities concerned.