Thousands of Anganwadi workers and helpers who marched to Vijayawada to participate in the ‘Chalo Vijayawada’ demanding to solve their problems were arrested by the police here on September 25.
Leaders of IFTU, CITU, Pragathisheela Mahila Sangham and other organisations called for ‘Chalo Vijayawada’ to bring pressure on the government to solve their demands.
Members of the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union were demanding to regularise their services, remove the new Apps which were creating confusion among the pregnant and lactating women, upgrade mini-Anganwadi Centres into fullfledged Centres, increase salaries and other demands.
Police who said that there was no permission for the Anganwadi Worker’s ‘Chalo Vijayawada’, deployed heavy forces at Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS), Dharna Chowk, railway station and all other major centres in Vijayawada, since dawn.
When the protestors planned to reach the Dharna Chowk in a rally from Andhra Ratna Bhavan, police foiled their attempts and took them into custody on the Eluru Road.
Police arrested the Anganwadi workers at PNBS, M.G. Road, Eluru Road and other centres and shifted them to the nearby police stations.
A.P. Pragathisheela Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union honorary president Rayapaneni Harikrishna, president V.R. Jyothi and secretary Bharathi, IFTU State president, P. Prasad, CITU Anganwadi Workers Union State general secretary Subbaravamma, IFTU State vice-president U. Venkateswara Rao, Anganwadi workers Shoba, Ganga and others were among those arrested.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishal Gunni said Section 144 CrPc and Section 30 of the Police Act were in force, and cases would be registered against those who violate the orders.
“Action would be taken against those who try to disrupt peace and create law and order problem,” the DCP warned.
CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna said that the arrest of Anganwadi workers across the State was undemocratic. He accused the government of suppressing the voice of the people. “The police are ruling the State. The Anganwadi workers and helpers were arrested when they tried to stage protests in a peaceful manner,” Mr. Ramakrishna said.
Dharnas today
Meanwhile, the leaders of AITUC, IFTU, CITU and other organisations gave a call to stage dharnas across the State on September 26 (Tuesday), condemning the police action.
Women of various unions will state protest at Dharna Chowk, said the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union leaders.
Meanwhile, the police released the arrested leaders by the evening after obtaining personal sureties from them.
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