Coronavirus: ASHA workers attacked, heckled by locals in Bengaluru, demand culprits arrest
A group of Asha (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers were alegedly attacked in Bengaluru on Thursday in Sadiq layout area where they were assigned to accumulate data on people who have Covid-19 symptoms.
Asha workers have been stationed by the Karnataka government to hold door to door survey in areas and gather data of people havin cough, cold and fever symptoms.
The community health workers are a link between the cummunity and the public health system in India and since March they have been carrying out surveys to cumulate information about those who are likely to be infected by coronavirus in the state.
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(Accredited Social Health Activist) ASHA workers allegedly attacked, heckled by locals when they went to survey who has cough and fever in Sadiq Palya locality. They allege an announcement was made by a local Mosque, then people rushed outside and surrounded them @DHFWKA @CPBlr pic.twitter.com/2ZZXV3cJLN
— Nolan Pinto (@nolanentreeo) April 2, 2020
Earlier in the day, when Asha workers were in Sidiq layout they were allegedly attacked by a mob of over 100 people who even took their phones.
Krishnaveni, an Asha worker said, "The locals came out of their houses and they caught us. We told them that we are here for work but they shouted at us saying who asked you to come here.
They even snatched our bags and phones and we couldn't call anyone. A lot of people came down on the roads. It has been five years I am working in this field but I've never seen this. Every house I go to, they shout at us. We are here for their health and they torture us,” she recalled the ordeal.
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The upset Asha worker also stated, a hundred people came out, we called our head man but the police did not come right away. In other areas area also our workers were assaulted. It was announced at a masjid that we are here. We want the culprit to be apprehended.
Police rushed to the scene and stepped in and saved the workers. This is not the first instant that the health department workers have been facing retaliation in the time of their work routine.
First published: 2 April 2020, 16:29 IST