Tirupati: Hundreds of Anganwadi workers took to the streets of Tirupati on Tuesday for a 'jail bharo' agitation to highlight their demands and condemn the imposition of ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act) on their strike.
The workers marched from the Old Municipal Office, voicing their grievances, but were halted by the police as they approached the Nalugu Kalla mandapam. The protesters engaged in a brief sit-in at the mandapam before continuing their march towards the police station.
As the standoff escalated, police detained several Anganwadi workers and trade union leaders.
Addressing the gathering, CITU, AITUC and IFTU leaders Kandarapu Murali, K Radhakrishna and R Harikrishna criticised the state government for not resolving the Anganwadis' issues. Instead, the government clamped ESMA and made a mockery of the Anganwadi women, the leaders alleged.
The leaders also criticised chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy “for saying one thing before the elections and doing something different after coming to power.”
They warned of a siege of the CM's residence if the labour issues were not resolved.
