Shimla, Sept. 1 -- Hundreds of pensioners from across Himachal Pradesh gathered at Chaura Maidan in Shimla on Tuesday and held a protest march towards the state Assembly, demanding the release of pending pensionary benefits, arrears and medical reimbursements.

The protest was organised by the Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Joint Action Committee, with pensioners arriving from distant districts including Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Sirmaur and Kinnaur.

Speaking to ANI during the protest, Joint Action Committee president Suresh Thakur accused the state government of adopting a "step-motherly" attitude towards pensioners and said the gathering of pensioners in large numbers reflected their resentment against the government.

"Pensioners aged 80, 90...