New Delhi: The recent 14-months old baby girl’s rape by a Bihar native has triggered tensions in Gujarat, forcing as many as 50,000 migrants from North India to immediately leave the state.
Amid the fear and tensions among other north Indian natives, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam is reminding PM Modi that even he will have to visit UP’s Varanasi to seek votes in the upcoming election, News18 reported.
“North Indians are being targeted in prime minister’s Gujarat. But he must remember that one day he too will have to go to Banaras to seek votes,” Nirupam said.
The alleged rape incident has enraged the locals who have been targeting people north Indians prior to the incident.
Police have registered as many as 19 cases against mobs for attacking migrants and arrested 180 persons in connection with the attacks.
Five migrant workers in Waghodia area of Vadodara city were allegedly attacked by local residents on Saturday night.
The police have arrested 16 people in connection with the attack where the victims received minor injuries.
Similar incidents were also reported from other regions of Gujarat state where the locals forced their way into the factories and demanded the closure of the unit yet no one is reported to be injured in these attacks.
The situation is worse in industrial areas of the state but is reported as to be brought under control.
President of Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad (a body of migrant workers), Shyamsinh Thakur said that his group has received 700 distress calls on Sunday alone after the incident.
“Till now, more than 50,000 North Indians, mostly from UP and Bihar, have gone back from Gujarat fearing escalation of rage towards them. Situation in bad in GIDC and industrial belts though the situation in big cities like Ahmedabad seems under control,” he was quoted as saying.
With labours gone, the industries in Gujarat are likely to suffer loss.
“At Mehsana GIDC, about 70% of the labourers have left,” he said.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police Shivanand Jha said: “If people are leaving for home for a festival, it should not be seen otherwise. I have told my officers to visit residential areas, and if required, visit bus stands and railway stations and if people are found leaving due to fear, (then to) persuade them to come back.”