Patna, March 6: The government today acted tough against the agitating contract teachers, slapping on them charges of attempting to kill the security forces on duty, snatching their firearms and obstructing official business when the legislature was in session.

“The administration has lodged an FIR under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 504 and 506 (attack on security men), 353 (obstructing government business) and 436 (indulging in arson) — all non-bailable — of the IPC with the Kotwali police station,” minister for water resources Vijay Kumar Chaudhary informed the Assembly at the fag end of the post-lunch session.

On behalf of the government, the minister issued a special statement in response to the Opposition allegation of “inhuman assault” by securitymen on the protesters, including women — a charge denied by the police.

Leader of Opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who described the assault on the teachers as “barbaric”, also submitted a memorandum to Governor Devanand Konwar, demanding a probe into the “police brutality” yesterday.

Sources close to Nitish Kumar said the chief minister was initially willing to grant a raise in the salary of contract teachers and simplify the mode of their wage payment. “But he is quite upset and unnerved at the manner in which they (contract teachers) tried to force their way into the Assembly by attacking security personnel and indulged in recklessness of the worst order,” a source said.

Police sources said 47 protesters had been arrested and remanded in jail.

The contract teachers’ association has given a call for a Bihar bandh tomorrow. “All primary and middle schools in 534 blocks will remain closed tomorrow,” association chief Puran Kumar said.