7 workers detained, freed

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, October 12

The Jalalabad Police today took seven Anganwari workers of the Abohar sub-division into custody when they were on their way to Jalalabad to attend a meeting there.

Saroj Chhapriwala, state president, All India Anganwari Workers/Helpers Union, Punjab, said a state-level meeting of the office-bearers and the union was scheduled to be held at the Jalalabad constituency in the wake of non-fulfillment of their demands. When the workers of the Abohar sub-division reached the outskirts of Jalalabad town, the police reportedly detained seven of them to prevent them to take part in the meeting.

A deputation of the workers led by Chhapriwala and general secretary Sunil Kaur Bedi met the Jalalabad SDM and the DSP who told the police to release the detained workers as they were not to hold any demonstration but to take part in a meeting only.

Chhapriwala, who later on presided over the meeting held at Swatantra Bhawan, said it was resolved in the meeting that the workers and helpers should burn the effigies of the ruling party to protest against non-fulfillment of their demands.

She said instead of regularisation of their jobs, the government had reportedly decided to merge pre-nursery centres with primary schools and had decided to shut Anganwari centres. The meeting resolved to oppose the decision and launch an agitation.