The statistics were presented by Samar Chakraborty, general secretary of the CPM-backed All Bengal Primary Teachers’ Association (ABPTA), at a rally in Kolkata on Monday.

“What was the fault of these 26 teachers? Here, teachers are asked to pay money, sometimes half their salaries, to Maoists as fine,” said Chakraborty.

Of the 26 teachers killed, 21 were primary school teachers, one para teacher while the others were associated with the high school, Chakraborty said, adding that in Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore, Maoists often threaten school managing committees to cough up money or face consequences.

Chakraborty also accused the Trinamool Congress of demanding money from teachers in various districts, including Howrah.

Representatives of 10 other teachers associations also came out on Monday to protest against the alleged anti-people policies of the Centre.

“There is a provision to derecognise schools that do not have playgrounds or lack adequate space. If this happens, where will the teachers go? We will not take the injustice meted out by the Centre,” said Chakraborty.

The ABPTA general secretary also called upon the teachers to strengthen the electoral base of the Left before the upcoming municipal polls.

“A shift in the Lok Sabha elections does not mean that we are completely out. Left Front will form the government (in Bengal) in 2011,” he said. All Bengal Teachers

Association (ABTA) general secretary Utpal Basu claimed that some teachers in Junglemahal were killed in front of students during class hours.

Meanwhile, state Higher Education Minister Suadarshan Roychowdhury, who was also present at the rally, said the Centre has mooted several Bills to help open up the country’s education sector to the private sector.