Police beats up striking Anganwadi workers in capital

Ranchi: Police opened lathicharge on the striking Anganwadi workers who were on their way to gherao the Chief Minister’s residence in support of their demands.

When the women were on their way towards the Chief Minister’s residence through the Raj Bhawan Road the police personnel which comprised only of men tried to stop the women and when they did not listened they lathicharged on the women and later the female policeman were called on the spot.

During the incident, some of the women received injuries which led to a high voltage drama which lasted for about three hours between the police and the agitating women. The agitators also indulged in slogans shouting against the state government and the police and also raised slogans of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai.

On the other hand, Kotwali DSP Ajit Kumar Vimal who was present on the spot urged the women to return back but they did not listen to his appeal. The Anganwadi sevikas and sahaikas are on an indefinite strike from August 16th and are protesting in front the Raj Bhawan in support of their various demands which included making their service permanent, retirement age being fixed at 65 years, arrangement for pension and priority to Sevikas in appointment for the post of lady supervisors.