Malda, Dec. 23: A group of unemployed people has threatened to disrupt the examination to recruit primary school teachers scheduled to be held on Sunday, creating tension in the administration.

“In 2006, the Malda District Primary School Council had asked for candidates from the employment exchange to fill up the posts of 1,299 primary teachers. The exchange had sent names on a 1:20 ratio. But the controversy over primary teachers’ training institute halted the process at that time. Now the council has decided to take the test but has issued admit cards to around 7,000 candidates in a 1:5 ratio, instead of 1:20. We are protesting this move. We have been waiting for three years and all of us should have been called,” said Bakul Das, the secretary of the Baker Sampraday Kalyan Samiti.

He said the forum had nothing against the recruitment of primary teachers. “But, if about 15,000 of us are not allowed to take the test, we will not allow it to take place on Sunday,” he threatened.

The district primary school council chairman, Tapan Mondol, has, however, made it clear that the test will be held on Sunday as scheduled. “We have informed the district administration and it is their responsibility to see to it that there is no disruption. We have also informed the superintendent of police for adequate security in Malda College and the 17 schools, the venue for the test. We are abiding by the high court order in this recruitment drive and if it does not take place, the schools, which are already short-staffed, will suffer,” Mondol said.

Malda police chief Bhuban Mondol admitted that the situation was worrisome. “We are concerned about the situation. However, we are making arrangements to deploy adequate force and ensure that peace is maintained,” he said.