On 24 September, many protesting Anganwadi Sevika Sahayaka Sangh workers were beaten up in Jharkhand's Ranchi by the police on the 40th consecutive day of their protest.
The protest was organised close to the Raj Bhavan in Jharkhand’s Ranchi. In a video of the incident one cannot see the presence of female police officials. A policeman can be seen punching a woman on her right arm after he kept beating her with a lathi.
The workers have been on a hunger strike for 12 days.
On 25 September, The Quint spoke to Deputy Inspector General Ranchi Homkar Amol Venukat who said, “We have instructed the SSP of Ranchi, Anish Gupta, to look into the entire matter and investigate how it happened. Based on those findings we will decide what further action is needed in the case.”
WHAT WERE THEIR DEMANDS?
1. Anganwadi workers should be declared government workers. Till then the sevikas should be paid Rs 18,000 and sahayakas should be paid Rs 9,000.
2. Mini anganwadi sevikas should be treated the same way anganwadi sisters are treated.
3. To end the practice of an upper age limit while granting promotions to the anganwadi workers.
4. Anganwadi workers should be given social security benefits.
5. Retirement age of workers should be increased to 65 from 60 years, like was done by the Bihar government. At retirement sevikas should be given Rs 5 lakh and sahayakas should be given Rs 3 lakh.
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