Shimla, April 26 -- The standoff between the Himachal government and protesting teachers appears to be intensifying, with preparations underway for strict action against teachers who staged a sit-in protest in Shimla against the reorganisation of the Directorate of Education.

Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar has directed officials to identify and suspend teachers who criticised the Himachal government and officers during the protest and take disciplinary action against them.

The controversy erupted after the government decided to merge the Directorate of Elementary Education with the Directorate of Higher Education.

Teachers fear the move will increase their workload due to non-teaching duties and impact their rights.

The Primary Teac...