Police on Tuesday used force to disperse protesting National Health Mission (NHM) employees who are demanding regularisation of their services.
The employees had organised a rally in Lal Chowk here on completion of a month of their protest. The trouble started soon after the protesting employees marched from Pratap Park towards Residency Road.
As hundreds of protestors wearing shrouds tried to breach barricades, police baton charged them, triggering clashes. Police used pepper gas to disperse off the protesting employees, leaving many females employees unconscious. They were rushed to hospital for treatment.
As situation aggravated, police pressed in female cops to control female protestors who were trying to breach the barricades. The protests brought the city center to a halt for hours, triggering traffic jams.
The employees held sit-in at various places including Regal Chowk amid slogans in favor of their demands. Earlier the protesting employees assembled at Pratap Park.
“We are going to organise a mega rally, as even after passing of a month, nothing has been done. Today, leaders from EJAC, KCCI, pharmacists association and employees bodies sat with us and ensured their support to our demands,” said Dr Sajad Qanungo, acting president of NHM association.
“Employees all over the state are supporting our genuine demands and we won’t give up unless we are regularized as promised,” he said.
The employees are protesting from January 14 to press for their demands which included formation of proper regularization policy, implementation of equal pay for equal work and social security benefits, for them.
Around 8000 NHM employees are working under centrally sponsored NHM. These employees are working as doctors, paramedics and managerial staff across the state, in district and sub-district hospitals.