ASHAs demand unconditional release of colleagues
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 23 2018: A large number of ASHA workers from different districts of the State stormed Cheirap Court complex and the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, today, demanding unconditional and immediate release of nine ASHA office bearers and members of the All Manipur ASHA Workers Union who were arrested in connection with the agitation organisedby ASHA workers at Khuman Lampak complex after the inaugural ceremony of the Chief Ministergi Haksel Tengbang on January 21 .

The nine ASHA workers identified as vice president of All Manipur ASHA Workers Union, Thiyam Purnima of Tabungkhok, secretary, Akoijam (n) Thoibi of Thoubal Ningombam Mamang Leikai, treasurer, Akoijam Sanahanbi of Khundrakpam, joint secretary, Heikrujam Shakuntala, assistant secretary, RK (n) Premabati of Kangmong, Akoijam Babita of Thoubal Wangmataba, Phadom (o) Swarnalata of Ghari Awang Leikai, Leishangthem (o) Geetmala of Waiton and Moirangthem Victoria of Pebia Pandit Leikai, were arrested yesterday, after they were allegedly called to the Directorate of Health Services, Lamphel, for holding a talk regarding the agitation.

A large number of ASHA workers gathered at Cheirap Court complex today morning after getting information that the nine arrested individuals would be produced from the custody of Imphal PS.

Spotting the crowd, Imphal West police personnel took up various security measures to prevent any kind of unwanted incident and pushed back all ASHA workers gathered inside the Court complex through the main entrance gate.

When the nine individuals were brought to the Court complex in a prisoner van, the angry ASHA workers tried to storm the Court complex by attempting to force open the entrance gate, resulting in a scuffle with the police personnel.

After the arrested ASHA workers were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West, the case was transferred to Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East Court Lamphelpat as the ASHA workers' protest took place in Imphal East district.

The nine ASHA workers were then taken to Lamphel Court complex where they were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East with a prayer for five days police custody remand.

During the hearing, the IO of the case submitted that on January 22, K Rajo, Director of Health and Family Welfare, Manipur, lodged a complaint to the OC, Imphal PS, stating that a group of ASHA workers who participated in the launch ceremony of Chief Ministergi Haksel Tengbang at Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak Sports complex the day before, had organised a violent agitation against the Government raising various demands related to non-payment of backlog honorarium and destroyed items worth around Rs 3.26 lakh (including food packets for invitees worth around Rs 42,000 and dress for ASHA workers worth around Rs 2,83,500) .

The complainant further requested necessary FIRs to be lodged against seven ASHA workers identified as Th Purnima, Ch Swarnalata, H Shakuntala Leima, Ak Thoibi Devi, M Gambhini Devi, Ak Babita and M Victoria for carrying out violent activities and destroying public properties.

The IO further submitted that on spot examination, the said ASHA workers had set fire to ASHA workers' dress and had even obstructed the fire brigade team.

The IO also submitted that the nine officer bearers and members were arrested yesterday in connection with the case, and during preliminary interrogation, they all admitted to the charges levelled against them.

Owing to the violent nature of the agitation, the IO prayed for police custody remand of the arrested workers for further investigation.

On the other hand, the defense counsel of the ASHA Union office bearers and members, prayed for immediate release of the arrested individuals on bail.

After hearing the submissions of both the IO and the defense counsel, and going through the case record, the Court remanded the arrested ASHA workers to police custody till January 29 .

As soon as news got out that the arrested individuals had been remanded to police custody, the angry ASHA workers who had followed the prisoner van to Lamphel Court complex, marched toward the Directorate of Health Service and staged a sit in protest after closing the main entrance gate of the building.

Soon after, a large number of Imphal West district police personnel, led by Additional SP L Priyadarshini, arrived at the spot to vacate the office complex and pushed back the ASHA workers outside the complex.

Later, eight ASHA workers were allowed to meet Director K Rajo.

Speaking to media persons, the workers who met the Director, said that they have urged the Director to take up necessary measures for unconditional release of the office bearers and members at the earliest, threatening that if they are not released, none of the ASHA workers will take part in the coming Pulse Polio immunisation scheduled on January 28 .

Regarding their demands, K Rajo has assured to talk to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, they said.

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