HomeNationMigrant workers are still waiting for food despite the huge chaos in...

Migrant workers are still waiting for food despite the huge chaos in Bandra

CM Nitish Kumar is not bothered but Maharashtra CM Uddhav cares, claim the migrant workers. The abrupt lockdown in the country due to Corona virus had already upset migrants across the country. The migrants hailing from various states in Maharashtra are arranged at the shelter-homes by the state government.


Mumbai: “Pet Ki Aag Se Badi Aag Koi Nahi Hoti, Corona se pehle hi ye aag maar daalegi , ( The hunger is the biggest killer, Before Corona this will kill) said Mohammad Khaid, a migrant worker.

Despite all hullabaloos, migrant workers who staged their protest only to reach up to their village, most of them have not received any food packet also. They claim that several people reached out today morning and have listed them but nothing is delivered to them.

The Mumbai Police is already started investigating and interrogating most of them. The Mumbai Police has registered an offence of rioting against many thus now the fear is more that if main culprits are not found, police will harass the innocents.

Even the former MLA Baba Siddique reached out and promised to send food packets to them but they are still waiting to receive the packet.

While talking Khalid’s voice is too dry, the 21days lockdown has dried up his emotions. Khalid like many others who gathered yesterday in Bandra to go to their Native in Bihar is still hoping that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will run a long-route-train for Bihar.

About 2000 migrant workers gathered in the noon of April 14 at Bandra station demanding with the government to send them to their native places from Maharashtra. Unable to control the mob, Mumbai Police had to disperse the mob with lathi charge. Not only that, the police has registered a case of rioting against 1000 migrant workers.

Story of hunger:

Khalid is residing with his room-mates in Shashtri  Nagar Bandra from the year 1995. Khalid hails from a small village Barsoi in Kathihar district in Bihar. There are approximately 1000 migrant workers solely from Kathihar district. They claim that CM Nitish Kumar is not worried about them, but the Maharashtra state CM Uddhav Thackeray is asking them to stay and ready to do arrangements.

Khalid said,” I am staying with almost 10 persons from Barsoi in Mumbai for more than two decades. We work under small contractor who takes small jobs of painting, plastering and plumbing. We work together and stay together.  the 21 days lockdown due to Corona virus has made us jobless and penniless.  Our contractor told that there is no work. We waited for these 21 days to pass. Somehow, we managed to survive. We all stay together and cook also.”

“I earn and save some money to my family in village. This is the way I have been living for years. There is no cash with me or any of us. I understand the fear of Corona, but it may kill us if it reaches . The hunger is killing us, ” added Khalid.

Narulla Haq from Pakhdia village in Kathihar district said,” I am residing in Mumbai for 18-years. I never begged in front of any one. The pockets are empty now we cannot live in Mumbai for a day. The contractor contacts us only when there is some work. He told that we are not his responsibility.  He cannot be forced also,”

“Why should we live in for further extended lockdown? Someone spread the word , that a train will play from Bandra. I believed . Although knew that for Bihar trains do not run from here. We reached at station only to realize that it was fake news,” added Haq

NO WORK MEANS NO MONEY:

The migrant workers like Haq and Khalid claim that further 18 days lockdown means no work and it means no money. How will they live in Mumbai without food and water. Most of them use Pre-paid mobile phones due to lockdown they cannot recharge it. Failing to which their families in Bihar are worried for them.

“It is not easy life. I never wanted to be daily wager but Bihar education system is more than rotten and we cannot afford big schools and colleges. I reached Mumbai when I was young. Mumbai is not a city we come to enjoy, We come here to earn our daily bread and butter,” added Haq.

NO FAMILY NO LIFE:

” Mumbai is a city of dreamers, Our dreams are nowhere. Make few hundred and reach to family once or twice a year. Corona virus is definitely DEMON but not as much as Hunger is ! I have remained hungry in Mumbai for 10days to get some work.  I ate vada pack and water , survived here. There is no family in Mumbai so if death wants to take away , once I want to see my family for whom we are in this strange city,”  added Khalid.

In the last month after sudden announcement of 21dayslockdown,  thousands of migrants workers without job, food and shelter had started walking for home on foot. On April 14, after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on the further extension of lockdown till May 3. The 21dayslockdown had already upset the migrant workers, Vinay’s provoking speech on social media is suspected to add fuel in already upset migrants with MVA- govt. 

Many migrant workers have started on foot to their homes under lockdown in various parts of country. The sudden announcement of lockdown to the daily wagers is more than death. – By Santoshee Gulabkali Mishra

29 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Must Read

spot_img