Shimla, June 8 -- Hundreds of Anganwadi workers and helpers from across Himachal Pradesh staged a gherao of the state Secretariat on Monday, demanding gratuity, pension, EPF benefits and improved service conditions, while warning of an intensified agitation if their demands remain unaddressed.

The protest was organised by the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union, with workers raising slogans against what they described as decades of neglect despite their contribution to child welfare and community health services.

Addressing the gathering, Anganwadi Workers Association Vice-President Sudarshana Sharma said workers had been struggling for their rights for decades but had received little support from successive governments.

"Anganwadi wor...