Bhubaneswar: Two Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) workers tried to set themselves on fire by pouring kerosene on their bodies here Tuesday. The incident occurred close to the Master Canteen Square where the ANM workers are protesting for the past 18 days. The two women were however overpowered in the nick of time by other ANM workers at the site.
The ANM workers have been sitting on a dharna for non-payment of their salaries and have been demanding that they be reinstated in their jobs. Some of them have also resorted to hunger strike to attract the attention of the Odisha government.
One of the women who tried self-immolation has been identified as Rutupragyan Sahu of Jagatsinghpur. The identity of the other is yet to be ascertained.
The ANM workers said that their only demand is regularisation of jobs. They said they have sacrificed a lot while working for the people during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We suddenly lost our jobs. We would like to appeal to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to help us. We want justice,” said a worker.
Another worker alleged that they have not received their salaries even after working for over three months. “We have not been paid our salaries for our services. Then suddenly the government removed us from our jobs without any notice period three months after we were appointed. We just want the government reinstates us,” another worker stated.
Meanwhile the duo who tried immolation said that they were earning Rs 7,000-Rs 8,000 per month monthly while working in private hospitals. However, they have been sacked without notice and they have been left to fend for themselves. Fearing poverty and trying to attract the attention of the state government, they attempted suicide, they said.
Police reached the spot and recued the two women and got them admitted to to the Capital Hospital here for a checkup and treatment.
PNN