The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Migrant workers under scanner

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 19, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Migrant workers under scanner

Initiative follows incidents in which they committed major crimes, writes
S. Vijay Kumar

For the first time, the Chennai Police are taking steps to bring under scrutiny the profile of thousands of migrant workers, mostly in the construction industry, who are residing in Chennai and its suburbs.

The initiative follows a few incidents in which migrant workers indulged in major crimes, including a couple of murders. A couple of cases have also surfaced in which migrant workers, mostly from West Bengal and Jharkhand, were accused of circulating counterfeit currency.

“We want to bring in some accountability on the part of the contractors who employ workers from other States. A few instances of migrant workers indulging in crimes have come to light. Contractors must ensure that their workers are not at loggerheads with the local community,” Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran said.

With regard to the seizure of counterfeit currency from natives of West Bengal in Chennai, he said a special investigation team comprising members of the Chennai Police, Crime Branch CID and Chennai Suburban Police was being set up.

Workers’ data

Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) V.A. Ravikumar said contractors would be asked to maintain a dossier containing the photographs, fingerprints and address proof of their workers. “They must also ensure that the workers are housed under one roof instead of allowing them to spread into residential areas. An enumeration has to be conducted with specific reference to migrant workers. It is the responsibility of the contractor to check the antecedents of the workers even if they belong to northern States.”

Along Rajiv Gandhi Salai (formerly Old Mahabalipuram Road) and East Coast Road (ECR) where huge construction activity is under way, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Thoraipakkam) K.N. Murali has convened a meeting of building contractors to discuss issues pertaining to migrant workers.

On Thursday, three persons of West Bengal, who claimed to be construction workers and moved into a rented house in Perungudi Canal area, were arrested for being in possession of 111 counterfeit currency notes of Rs.1,000 denomination.

Following a tip-off that a gang was exchanging crisp Rs.1,000 notes for purchasing small articles in the Perungudi area, Mr. Murali said a special team apprehended A.Sherif Ulhak (30), A.Mujir Ulhak (23) and M. Fiazuddin (23) of Malda district in West Bengal.

“A large number of migrant workers from Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are spread over the ECR and OMR. We are asking the contractors to ensure the good conduct of such workers before employing them,” he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu