The teachers were forced to write the letter because they haven’t received the salary for the last 14 years.
In the letter to the PM, Ganesh Chaudhary states, “I have not been paid salaries for the past 14 years and I have been forced to die of hunger. Therefore we (teachers) request you to arrange payment of our wages or give us permission for mercy killing with our family."
The teachers belong to Surada Mines School of Ghatshila where they used to teach. The school was run by Hindustan Copper Limited.
On 2 September 2002, Hindustan Copper Limited –ICC closed Surda Mines and schools citing poor economic conditions. While Surada Mines workers and officers were paid under VRS, the school teachers were deprived of the benefit.
As per reports, the teacher also went to the court but the only thing they were able to receive was the date for further hearing.
At present, the HCL-ICC company has again opened the closed mines but the schools are closed. The situation of these teachers is so grave that now more than 50 teachers of Ghatshila unit of Hindustan Copper Limited are demanding euthanasia from PM Narendra Modi.
Jharkhand’s Ghatsila is known for its uranium and copper mines.