ASHA workers detained across Telangana during ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ protest call

ASHA workers’ ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ protest demanding a fixed salary of Rs 18,000 was thwarted as police detained many across Telangana. CPI (M) condemned the action and extended support to their planned Rasta Roko on March 30.

Hyderabad: The ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ protest call given by ASHA workers demanding fixed monthly salary of Rs 18,000 and other pending assurances, triggered scuffles and arguments after police detained them at many places to prevent them from reaching Hyderabad on Saturday.

Many workers were taken into preventive custody in districts on Friday. Coinciding with the ongoing Assembly session, the ASHA workers gave the protest call to press for their demands. However, in the city, many ASHA workers were prevented from staging the protest.

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They were detained and shifted to police stations. Images and videos of the workers being bundled into vehicles were shared extensively on social media platforms.

The Congress during the assembly elections had promised to increase our monthly salaries to Rs 18,000. It has been nearly two and a half years and the Congress government has not fulfilled the promise, a woman said in a video.

The CPI (M) State unit condemned the police action on the ASHA workers and demanded the Congress government to address their issues in the current Assembly session.

The workers have been repeatedly appealing to the Congress government to fulfill the promises made to them. On Saturday, they sought permission to stage a protest at Indira Park but it was denied, said CPI (M) State Secretary John Wesley in a statement.

“Our party extends support to the ASHA workers’ proposed Rasta Roko protest on highways in the State on March 30,” he said.