Anganwari workers, police clash near Dhindsa’s house

Sushil Goyal

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, March 8

A scuffle between police and members of the Anganwari Mulazam Union today took place when the police tried to stop hundreds of activists near the residence of Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa here today.

During the scuffle, some protesters snatched the lathis of police women. At the end of the protest, state president of the union Usha Rani asked the police to take back the lathis, but no one claimed them.

SHO Jatinderpal Singh claimed that no lathis were with the protesters. No case had been registered against the agitators so farm he added.

Since the police had blocked the way leading to Dhindsa’s residence by parking a vehicle, hundreds of anganwari workers and helpers from Sangrur, Barnala and Mansa districts sat on the road and raised slogans against the government.

Uha Rani alleged that the policemen misbehaved with them. A policeman caught her by of the scruff of the neck. She said such an act by the police was shameful, especially on International Women’s Day.

She said they had been demanding wages on Haryana pattern for anganwari workers and helpers. In Haryana, an anganwari worker was given Rs 7,500 per month and helper Rs 3,500 per month whereas in Punjab an anganwari worker got Rs 5,000 per month and helper Rs 2,500 per month, she added.

She also announced that they would gherao the Assembly tomorrow to compel the state government to accept their long-standing demands.

Earlier, hundreds of anganwari workers and helpers gathered at BSNL Park here and held a rally. From there they marched towards Dhindsa’s residence raising slogans against state government.