In a tragic incident in Kerala, migrant worker Ashok Das, aged 24 and hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, was brutally beaten to death by a mob in Muvattupuzha, near Kochi, on April 6, 2021. The altercation ensued when Das visited his female co-worker’s residence, sparking ire among the local populace.
Reports indicate that Das was accosted by the mob, who proceeded to tie him to a pillar and subject him to interrogation and physical assault. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Das succumbed to his injuries.
According to the Police’s First Information Report (FIR), Das sustained fatal injuries during the ordeal, leading to his untimely demise. Subsequently, ten individuals have been arrested under IPC Sections 302 (murder) and 174 (non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant) following a preliminary inquiry.
Das had been residing in rented accommodation in Valakam, Muvattupuzha, and was employed as a cook.
Kerala’s reliance on migrant labour, particularly in manual work sectors, has reached significant proportions, with the state’s Chief Minister even referring to them as ‘guest labor’. Hailing not only from various Indian states like Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar but also from foreign countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar, these migrants play a crucial role in the state’s workforce, without which Kerala would face a standstill.
However, the presence of migrant labourers also brings about challenges, including difficulties in identification due to a common language, with many speaking Hindi, and the prevalence of fake identity cards among them. According to estimates, Kerala hosts approximately 31 lakh migrant workers, a significant portion of whom are implicated in criminal cases. Shockingly, statistics reveal that 10,546 migrant labourers are accused in various criminal cases, including 168 in 127 murder cases.
Authorities face legal constraints in registering the names of migrant laborers, as it contravenes constitutional rights to travel and work freely within the country. While authorities can collect details of migrant workers through welfare scheme registration, many are uncooperative. Complicating matters further, law enforcement lacks information about employers, hampering efforts to track and manage the migrant labor force effectively.
Instances of criminal offenses, including murders, attacks on women, and assaults against railway staff, involving migrant laborers in Kerala’s trains have raised significant alarm among authorities and residents alike. Last week, a tragic incident occurred when a Railway TTE was allegedly pushed out of a moving train by a migrant laborer, resulting in the victim’s untimely death. Such incidents underscore the dangers posed by migrants traveling in AC compartments without tickets, often resorting to forceful means.
Moreover, reports of gang rapes, sexual abuses, and even the killing of children in trains have further exacerbated concerns regarding the safety of passengers. Recently, 174 migrant workers were arrested for attacking policemen at Kitex Company near Kochi, adding to the apprehensions surrounding their behavior.
While acknowledging that the majority of migrant labourers are peace-loving and hardworking individuals striving to support their families back home, the pervasive fear among locals cannot be ignored. Migrant workers hold sway in various sectors, including construction, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, agriculture, and cleaning jobs, among others.
Though Kerala residents generally harbour no animosity towards migrant labourers, there is a growing consensus that authorities must devise mechanisms to regulate their activities, akin to other citizens. Balancing the rights and contributions of migrant workers with the imperative of maintaining law and order remains a pressing challenge for authorities in Kerala.
