Bhubaneswar: Commissionerate Police on Saturday forcibly dispersed and also picked up Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) workers protesting at Lower PMG square in the Capital City.
A scuffle reportedly ensued between the police and the ANM protestors who were on protest demanding regularisation of jobs.
"We will continue our protest till the Odisha government fulfill our demands. We respect the Republic Day celebrations and hence, moving from this place (Lower PMG square) for the time being," said a protestor.
"We have been protesting here for the last 60 days and now, the police are forcibly picking us up. Is this the reward for all our works and sacrifice during Covid times," rued another ANM worker.
It is pertinent to mention here that all the protestors at the Lower PMG square were asked to vacate the area in view of the Republic Day parade practice.
Earlier on December 15, two ANM workers tried to set themselves on fire by pouring kerosene on their bodies. They were however overpowered by other protesting ANM workers and safely rescued.
As per reports, many of them have also resorted to a hunger strike alleging that the concerned authorities have failed to act on their grievances.
“We were appointed at panchayat level to work at Covid Care Homes (CCH). Many of us have not received a salary for the services we have done. The government removed us from the job without any notice after three months of the appointment. We want reinstatement,” a protesting member had earlier said.
It is worth mentioning that the State government had engaged some 21,000 ANMs, staff nurses and Pharmacists on a temporary basis to augment the health workforce for smooth functioning of Covid Care Homes (CCH). They were reportedly appointed on a daily wage basis for a period of three months or till the CCHs are functional.