ASHA workers to begin indefinite hunger strike

Thiruvananthapuram: ASHA workers protesting in front of the Secretariat have announced the third phase of their protest. They declared that they would begin an indefinite hunger strike from March 20. Three leading protest leaders will undertake an indefinite hunger strike from Thursday.
The ASHA workers laid a siege to the Secretariat from morning to evening, blocking road traffic along MG Road. Thousands of ASHA workers from different districts had reached the state capital to take part in the siege. Police had blocked the entry of ASHA workers on the Secretariat premises. Heavy security was deployed at the Secretariat's four gates to ensure smooth passage for employees.
The protesters blocked the main road till evening and even discussions police officers had with their leaders to open one side of MG Road for traffic was not accepted.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan and former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala too held discussions with the agitating ASHA workers later and urged them to allow traffic along one side of MG Road.
Meanwhile, govt has withdrawn the 10 criteria set for granting honorarium to ASHA workers, including the strict condition of deduction from the honorarium for not attending meetings. Removal of these stringent conditions was one of the demands of the striking ASHA workers. However, the ASHA workers stated that they would not end the protest without a raise in the honorarium.