AJK schoolteachers Wednesday threatened to stage countrywide protests if authorities continue turning a deaf ear to their voice for the rights in 24 hours. They also raised the demand for the immediate release of their colleagues.

The schoolteachers took the streets for job promotion and other such rights. They attempted to march towards the secretariat when police used teargas and batoncharge, leaving scores of them injured seriously.

Police arrested 20 protesters. Three police sustained injuries when some of the protesters pelted the lawmen with stones.

The teachers said they have long been waiting for the implementation of promotion although the package was approved nine years ago.