From correspondents in Chhattisgarh, India, 01:01 AM IST

Police arrested at least 50 contract teachers Monday as they marched towards Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh's official residence here demanding a hike in their meagre monthly allowance.

About 125 contract teachers from the state's interiors assembled at the Budha Talab area and then marched towards Singh's residence before police stopped them and arrested 50 of them.

Unfazed by the police action, the teachers announced they would step up their agitation to mount pressure on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to raise their monthly honourarium from the present measly Rs.1,000.

Some 5,000 contract teachers in the state have previously sought absorption as permanent government employees.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)