LPST protest: Kerala Govt hints at talks; medical board formed for Valarmathi on CM intervention

Thiruvananthapuram: The government has indicated that it is ready to hold discussions with the protesting Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) rank holders. Sources close to the government suggest that talks can be held if the protesters are willing to participate.

Earlier, a medical board was constituted to examine the health condition of protest leader Valarmathi, who is continuing her hunger strike even while admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital. The medical board was formed following the direct intervention of Chief Minister V D Satheesan.

The Chief Minister’s intervention has renewed hope among the agitating rank holders, who anticipate that either the Chief Minister directly or the Education Minister on his instructions will hold discussions with them. However, the government has not yet officially communicated its willingness for talks to the protesters. Meanwhile, the government has clarified that its stance is not against holding discussions with the LPST protesters and that it is open to speaking with them whenever they come forward.

The protesters' demand to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio remains the major sticking point in the negotiations, as the government is still unwilling to accept it. Under these circumstances, it remains unclear what kind of compromise formula will be proposed to end the agitation.

Meanwhile, the health condition of protest leader Valarmathi, who remains in the ICU, continues to be a cause for concern. Doctors on the medical board who examined her today recommended shifting her from the General Hospital to the Medical College Hospital, though Valarmathi has refused to be moved.