Ludhiana, May 11
The two major factions of the Punjab and Chandigarh Colleges Teachers Union (PCCTU) are gearing up for the state elections for different posts of the PCCTU, scheduled on May 15, at Lyalpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar. As many as 500 teachers are expected to cast their votes for their favourite candidates.

The supporters of two factions, Brar and Hundal, are leaving no stone unturned to bring their candidates as office-bearers.

Elections in four districts-Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Gurdaspur- have already been conducted. As per the election results, the Brar group emerged as the winner in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Gurdaspur districts whereas the Hundal group won majority in Jalandhar district.

Prof S. S. Hundal, whose third term as president of the PCCTU ends this year, talking to Ludhiana Tribune, claimed that out of 17 districts his group won the majority in Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Moga, Muktsar, Ferozepore, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa and Bathinda.

Mr Hundal said in some of the districts, the candidates were chosen unanimously whereas others were chosen by rotation. “We are hopeful to win the PCCTU elections”, said Prof Hundal.

Meanwhile, Mr R.S. Brar, who is contesting for the post of president, claimed that the candidate from Patiala, Mr Rashpal Singh, had disassociated with Mr Hundal and joined his group. The candidates from Sangrur and Ferozpore were the neutral ones. “The home district will be the decisive factor in the overall victory of PCCTU”, claimed Mr Brar.

The candidates contesting for several posts include Prof Aninder Pal Singh (Hundal) and Prof R.S. Brar (Brar) for president, Prof U.K. Tewari (H) and Dr Jagwant Singh (B) for general secretary, Mr H.S. Walia (B) and Prof R.S. Bal (H) for vice-president.

For the posts of finance secretary, Prof Jagtar Singh (H) and Prof J.R. Prashar (B) group are in the fray. For the post of secretary, Panjab University area, Prof Lal Singh Kheewa (H) and Dr Pramod (B) are competing in the poll.

Ludhiana, May 11
Students representing various student unions in the state today held a massive protest against the hike in fee structure of the ITIs and the proposed privatisation move of the state government at the Mini Secretariat. The protest was jointly lodged by the Punjab Students Union, the Punjab Student Union (Shaheed Randhawa) and the Punjab Students Federation.

The students from various schools and colleges including participated ITI Gill Road, ITI Women, Ghumar Mandi, Government Senior Secondary School, PAU, Government Senior Secondary School Jawahar Nagar Camp, Government Multipurpose School, Khalsa College, Arya College, Government College Boys and Central Training Institutes.

The protesters wearing black badges, started their protest march from the Gill road. Anti-government slogans were raised by the students.

The rally was addressed by several leaders including Harpreet Jeerath, Jagjit Gure, Sheerin and Gurpreet Singh outside Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The leaders said the government was anti-common man and anti-students. They demanded that the government should withdraw the increase in ITI fee structure, raw material should be supplied regularly.

They said privatisation of the ITIs and schools would not be tolerated at any cost. The students threatened to intensify their agitation if the government failed to consider their demands.