Chaos in Mumbai:“ We have nothing to eat now, want to return to our villages : Migrants
MUMBAI/ NEW DELHI : Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the corona-Covid-19 enforced lockdown till May 3, a large number of migrant workers came out on street in Mumbai on Tuesday demanding transport arrangements to go back to their native places.
Daily wage labourers mostly from Bihar and West Bengal have been rendered jobless ever since the lockdown was announced late last month to stem the spread of Covid-19, making their life a constant struggle.
Each day wage workers have been rendered jobless ever because the lockdown was introduced late final month to stem the unfold of Covid-19, making their life a relentless wrestle.
The labourers in thousands gathered near the Bandra bus stand in Mumbai to show their disagreement with the nationwide extension till May 3 and demanded permission to return to their home states as they allege of facing problems in getting food, essential items amid the complete lockdown in the country.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and expressed concern. Such events weaken India’s fight against coronavirus and the administration needs to stay vigilant to avoid these, Amit Shah told the Chief Minister. He also offered his full support to the Maharashtra government.
“Now, we do not need meals, we need to return to our native place, we aren’t proud of the announcement (extending the lockdown),” he stated, trying dejected. Migrants, who hails from Malda in West Bengal, stated,“ We have now nothing to eat now, we simply need to return to our native place, the federal government ought to make preparations for us.
Pranay Ashok, DCP PRO, Mumbai Police said, “Around 1,500 people had gathered in Bandra to go to their homes, and while talking about the situation with the labourers, some of them got aggressive. For this, we had to use light force and the crowd was removed, now the situation is back to normal in the area.”
The daily-wage workers have been the worst affected people due to the coronavirus crisis in the country. Their source of income has come to zero since March 24, when the Citizens were restricted to their homes to maintain social distancing and stop the spread of the global pandemic.
Even though there have been several arrangements by the official authorities and various NGOs to help the migrants during this crisis, the labourers want to go back to their native places and reunite with their families.
Maharashtra’s Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray tweeted about the incident and said, “The current situation at Bandra Station, now dispersed or even the rioting in Surat is a result of the Union Govt not being able to take a call on arranging a way back home for migrant labour. They don’t want food or shelter, they want to go back home.”
The son of present CM of Maharashtra also said, “Right from the day the trains have been shut down, the State had requested trains to run for 24 hours more so that migrant labour could go back home. CM Uddhav Thackeray Ji raised this issue in the PM- CM Video Conf as well requesting a roadmap for migrant labour to reach home”
The current situation at Bandra Station, now dispersed or even the rioting in Surat is a result of the Union Govt not being able to take a call on arranging a way back home for migrant labour. They don’t want food or shelter, they want to go back home.
“The law and order situation in Surat, Gujarat, largely has been seen as a similar situation and the feedback from all migrant labour camps is similar. Many are refusing to eat or stay in. Currently more than 6 lakh people are housed in various shelter camps across Maharashtra,” said Aaditya Thackeray.
As of 5 PM IST on Tuesday, India has reported over 10,815 COVID-19 positive cases and has seen around 353 deaths.
(Mumbai Bureau With Agency Inputs ).
