In support of their seven- point charter of demands, Uttarakhand ASHA Health Workers Union rallied to the Secretariat on Friday. They have been staging protest at Parade Ground for the past 20 days, demanding their long-pending demands, including monthly salary, being addressed immediately. The protesters warned that they would further intensify their stir unless their demands are met at the earliest.
Hundreds of heath workers assembled at Parade Ground and rallied towards the Secretariat on Friday. Police had made elaborate security arrangements in view of the rally. Barricades were put ahead of the Secretariat to stop the protesters from reaching there.
Verbal arguments ensued between the protesters and the police at the barricade put on Subhash Road. Resisted there, the protesters sat on demonstration at the barricade. Babita, one of the protesters, said that despite their having taken out several rallies to the secretariat in the past, nothing positive has happened so far. “ASHA workers must be given minimum salary and dearness allowances. This aside, it must be ensured that the next of kin of the ASHA workers who die in harness are given Rs 5 lakh,” she said.