A group of Asha workers (Accredited Social Health Activist) allegedly were assaulted in Bengaluru on Thursday in Sadiq layout area where they were deputed to collect data on people who have coronavirus symptoms.

Asha workers have been deployed by the Karnataka government to conduct door-to-door survey in localities and collect data on people having cough, cold and fever symptoms.

Asha workers are a bridge between the community and the public healthcare system in India and since mid-March they have been conducting surveys to gather information about those who are likely to be affected by Covid-19 in the state.

(Accredited Social Health Activist) ASHA workers allegedly attacked, heckled by locals when they went to survey who has cough and fever in Sadiq Palya locality. They allege an announcement was made by a local Mosque, then people rushed outside and surrounded them @DHFWKA @CPBlr pic.twitter.com/2ZZXV3cJLN Nolan Pinto (@nolanentreeo) April 2, 2020

On Thursday, when Asha workers were in Sadiq layout they were allegedly assaulted by a mob of over 100 people who even snatched their phones.

Krishnaveni, an Asha worker said, "The locals came out of their houses and they caught us. We told them that we are here for work but they shouted at us saying who asked you to come here.

They even snatched our bags and phones and we couldn't call anyone. A lot of people came down on the roads. It has been five years I am working in this field but I've never seen this. Every house I go to, they shout at us. We are here for their health and they torture us, she recalled the ordeal.

The disturbed Asha worker also said, A hundred people came out. We called our boss but the police didn't come immediately. In other places also our colleagues were attacked. It was announced at a masjid that we are here. We want the culprits to be arrested.

Police rushed to the spot and intervened and rescued the workers. This isn't the first time the health department workers have been facing backlash during their work routine.

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