Thousands of ASHA Workers Protest Near Assembly, Demand Rs 18,000 Salary

<p>Thousands of ASHA workers from across Telangana defied police barricades and preventive arrests on Tuesday to take part in the 'Chalo Assembly' protest in Hyderabad, pressing the state government for better pay, job security and social security benefits.</p>
<p>The demonstration, organised under the CITU ASHA Union banner, kicked off with a large rally from Domalguda and culminated in a sit-in protest near the Indira Park signal, where workers came face to face with police personnel. The protesters demanded a fixed monthly salary of Rs 18,000, along with PF and ESI benefits, raising slogans against the state government and condemning what they described as a crackdown on a peaceful, democratic assembly.</p>
<p>The atmosphere grew tense as police moved to disperse the crowd, leading to pushing and shoving. Some participants sustained minor injuries, and a few workers fainted during the heated confrontation before arrests were carried out.</p>
<p>Earlier in the day, police made preventive arrests of senior trade union figures, including CITU State General Secretary Paladugu Bhaskar, vice president SV Ramana and several ASHA union representatives from various districts.</p>
<p>State ASHA Union President P Jayalakshmi issued a firm warning to the government. "The State government claims to run 'Praja Palana,' but they suppress peaceful democratic assemblies. If the government fails to address our demands before the conclusion of the Assembly, we will launch an indefinite strike," she said.</p>
<p>The protest coincides with the ongoing Assembly session, a timing the workers said was deliberate to press their case directly with elected representatives.</p>