Apparently, they have been deployed by the Karnataka government to conduct door-to-door survey in several localities and collect data on people having cough, cold and fever symptoms.
In India, Asha workers are a bridge between the community and the public healthcare system. Since mid-March they have been conducting surveys to gather information about those who are likely to be affected by the Covid-19 in the state.
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On Thursday, when Asha workers were in Sadiq layout they were allegedly assaulted by a mob of over 100 people who 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 yelled at us saying who asked you to come here."
They even snatched our bags and we were unable to 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 or experienced 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 torture during their work routine.