Migrant workers stranded in Kerala urge govt to bring them home
At least 96 stranded Odia migrant workers at two different places-Kozhikode and Kottayam- in Kerala urged the …Read More
BHUBANESWAR: At least 96 stranded Odia migrant workers at two different places-Kozhikode and Kottayam- in Kerala urged the Odisha government to help them to return home. As they do not have money and ration, they are desperately trying to return Odisha.
Bhabagrahi Barad, 35, a native of Dihakhauruni near Rajsunakhala in Nayagarh district, is stranded along with 75 others at Koothali in Kozhikode of Kerala. “We had come here seven months ago to work in a construction company. Some of us are working as mason, while others are construction labourers. We came here because this Kerala form gives Rs 600 as wage per day. But now we do not have any job here, so we want to return home,” he added.
These workers belong to Khurda, Nayagarh and Cuttack districts. “We had last received our wage on March 20. Though the company had provided food for some days, the construction work is not yet started. Our family members are worried a lot for us. We have registered our name in Odisha government’s portal. We have also consulted with local police, but in vain,” he added.
Manas Kumar Pradhan, 32, a native of Begunia in Khurda district, said they do not have money to arrange buses to return home. “Only three Shramik Special trains have been run between Kerala and Odisha. We request the government to run more such trains and provide them with tickets for travelling. We are staying in a very difficult condition in Kozhikode and want to go home,” he added.
He said they have many aged people and their family members call them to return Odisha. “We don’t know how to get tickets for Shramik Special trains. Nobody gives proper information about the special trains and procedure of getting ticket for it,” he added.
Jitendra Behera, 32, a native of Champatipur in Nayagarh district, said he along with other 19 people from Khurda and Nayagarh district came Kottayam seven months ago in search of work. “We were working as construction labourer in a real estate company here. Our work was stopped on March 21. We do not have any job and we spent our money in purchasing ration and food. Anyhow we have to return home,” he added.
He said they do not want to walk or cycle back to Odisha. “We saw migrant people are dying on road. We don’t want to take any risk. I am the only son of my parent, that’s why they call me everyday and insist me to return home. We are also feeling nervous as we don’t have money to hire a bus. We request the government to give tickets for travelling in special trains,” said Behera.