Asha workers clash with police

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed in the city as thousands of ASHA workers staged a massive dharna at the Koti Commissioner’s Office under the banner of ‘Chalo Hyderabad’, demanding immediate payment of pending January salaries, a fixed monthly pay of Rs.18,000, and allocation of sufficient funds in the upcoming Assembly budget to resolve their problems.

Despite heavy restrictions and reported arrests across the state, large numbers of ASHA workers reached the protest venue. A scuffle broke out between the protesters and police, leading to several workers sustaining injuries. Protesters alleged that police personnel dragged women workers, resulting in torn clothes and some falling unconscious.

The dharna continued from 12 noon to 3 pm. The Union leaders criticized the state government for not even being ready to listen to their problems and for allegedly suppressing their democratic right to protest and warned of intensified agitation if their demands are not addressed.

The leaders criticized the government for not even being ready to listen to their problems. The leaders warned the government that if it does not resolve the problems faced by the ASHA workers soon, they would intensify the struggles in the future.

Prominent participants included ASHA Union CITU State President P. Jayalakshmi, General Secretary R. Neela Devi, Treasurer P. Gangamani, CITU State Secretary J. Venkatesh, and other union leaders.