51 labourers fleeing in a shielded truck caught by Tinsukia Police

OUR CORRESPONDENT

TINSUKIA: During routine night patrolling on Monday, a team of Panitola police outpost under Tinsukia Sadar Police Station nabbed 51 labourers from inside a truck covered by polythene. They were attempting to flee from Tinsukia for their native places in Bihar in spite of lockdown. All of them were medically tested before prosecution.

The police arrested the agent identified as Baswan Rai (42) of Dariapur Chhapra, driver Sanjeeb Rai (21) of Muzaffarpur and handyman Mantesh Rai (21) of Panapur Chhapra. A case — Tsk PS 494/2020 u/s 188/269/270 of IPC R/W Sec 51(B) of DM Act 2005 — was registered.

While the Court sent the trio to judicial remand, the labourers were granted bail under PR Bond and were asked to stay in their respective quarters after an overnight quarantine at Marowari Dharmashala. During the quarantine period, they were provided food under the supervision of Tinsukia Circle Officer Dr Sanjeeb Phukan.

Though the labourers had earlier claimed that they were underfed for days, it has been learnt that they carried sufficient money and agreed to pay Rs 70,000 to the truck driver through the agent Baswan Rai for their safe passage to Bihar.

According to information, there are several hundred more such labourers — mostly daily wage earners, porters and cart pullers — who are looking for opportunities to flee from Tinsukia district.

Meanwhile, IANS adds that the Centre has asked the States to help migrant labourers. Just days after a sea of migrant workers was seen in Mumbai’s Bandra area, the Central government, here on Thursday, asked the State governments to ensure adequate arrangements for them.

“The Cabinet Secretary has asked all State Chief Secretaries to ensure adequate arrangements for safety, shelter and food security of migrant labourers and stranded persons,” a letter by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting read.

In the letter, the Cabinet Secretary asked the States that the District Collectors must appoint nodal officers who would be responsible for coordinating the arrangements for migrant labourers.

“Each camp should be put in charge of a senior officer,” it added.

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