In a repeat of the recent attempted exodus of thousands of migrant workers from the national Capital, hundreds of migrant workers, stuck in Surat amid the lockdown, went on a rampage on Friday night, setting many vehicles on fire.
Mostly from Odisha, these workers wanted to be provided logistics for them to return to their native places and disbursal of their unpaid dues. Making a mockery of the lockdown, the workers took to the streets and set ablaze handcarts.
Police have detained around 80 migrant workers. This is the second time that the migrant workers have taken to streets in Surat. On March 30, over 90 migrant labourers were arrested in Surat city for defying the lockdown.
“Hundreds of workers, mostly from Odisha, hit the streets demanding that they should be sent to their native places. They also claimed that the food served to them by an NGO is tasteless and they have to stand in queue to get the meal,” ACP CK Patel said.
“Out of anger, they torched some handcarts and tyres in Laskana area. We have detained 80 migrant workers. Heavy police deployment and strict vigil by the administration has brought the situation under control, he said.
The Surat episode will send alarm bell ringing in other cities also where migrant workers have been staying and are desperate to get back to their homes amid uncertainty about the duration of the lockdown.
On Saturday, , the number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat rose to 468 after addition of 90 more cases. The death toll due to coronavirus reached 23, officials said.