In a setback for India's battle against COVID-19, the healthcare workers who are going door-to-door to sensitise people and screen the families for COVID-19, are being attacked by miscreants.

After Indore, Bengaluru witnessed ASHA (health) workers being manhandled and intimidated by residents of Sadiq Layout in Hennur police station limits on Wednesday. The healthworkers who visited the locality as part of surveillance were collecting data about persons with COVID-like symptoms. But suddenly, they heard an announcement on a loudspeaker, asking people not to cooperate with the health officials.

"Yesterday, when I visited Sadiq Nagar for data collection, I heard a loudspeaker announcement asking people not to give any information to us. We were surrounded by more than 100 people, who started abusing us. They snatched my bag, and reports. It was scary. I managed to call my son who was at home, and he informed the local corporator. The police came and rescued us,” said Krishnaveni, an ASHA worker.

The health workers, who were mostly women, are shaken by the incident.

"The people here are hostile. They check our identity cards and the format (data collection). They slam the doors on our face saying we are working for NRC. They snatched our papers and tore them as we had noted the mobile numbers of every household we visited," said Vijaya, an ASHA worker, who was part of the team that visited Sadiq Layout.

According to the health workers, the residents started accusing them of collecting information for NRC and alleged they were singling out only the families from minority community. Some men, who were in an inebriated condition, also threatened the workers.

"A domestic help residing in Saraipalya here, has tested COVID-19 positive. So, we started the surveillance work in the area.

"I have been working as a health worker for the last five years. I am only concerned only about their health and have nothing to do with their caste or community. We asked them if any member of their family has travelled or is with symptoms. But suddenly we find there is so much resistance to this exercise," Krishnaveni said.

"We work for a small salary. I ask my children to drop me for field work on a two-wheeler and spend my own money for the fuel. We visit 50 homes every day and collect data and check on people with symptoms. We collect phone numbers for follow-ups. How can they treat us so badly? I too have a family and work at home. But, I am working hard so that coronavirus does not spread in the community," she said.

On Thursday, the police filed an FIR against those who tried to assault the health workers. Strangely, the health officials did not feel the need to register any complaint though their staff had been heckled while on duty.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan, who swung into action after watching media reports, rushed to the residence of the ASHA worker, who was attacked, to "instill confidence" among the health workers.

"Such attacks demoralise the frontline workers. We must understand that every health care worker is taking a huge risk. It is unfortunate that these committed workers are being assaulted. Any form of non-cooperation in fighting COVID-19 will not be tolerated. We will book criminal cases against anyone who tries to disrupt the frontline workers fighting the COVID-19," he said.

"My two grown-up children are shaken and worry for my safety. They don't want me to do field work any more," Krishnaveni said.

Abdul Azeem, a former cop and chairman of the state minorities commission, condemned the incident and appealed to the community to cooperate in fighting the pandemic. "Our people have failed to understand the gravity of the situation. Screening and testing is crucial to identify and treat the positive cases on priority to contain the spread of the virus. The community leaders must intervene and educate the people. Even those who attended Nizamuddin Jamaat meet should voluntarily get themselves tested," Azeem said.