KVPS condemns police ‘crackdown’ on protesting anganwadi workers

The Kula Vivaksha Vyatireka Porata Sangham (KVPS) has condemned the police action against Anganwadi workers who were staging a prolonged protest here.

KVPS State president O. Nallappa and general secretary Andra Malyadri in a press release alleged that police personnel arrived at the protest site around 5 a.m., switched off the lights, dismantled tents and banners, and forcibly arrested anganwadi workers while they were asleep. The leaders termed the action undemocratic and a violation of basic rights.

They said that the anganwadi workers have been demanding wage hikes and implementation of welfare measures since the previous government’s tenure.

They  described the alleged mass arrests of thousands of anganwadi workers who had been peacefully staging a 30-hour dharna through the night as ‘shameful’, demanding resolution of their issues.

KVPS also sought the immediate release of all arrested anganwadi workers and their leaders. It also urged the government to initiate immediate talks with anganwadi union representatives and address their long-pending demand for wage enhancement and other service-related issues.