‘Forced to leave as no help from administration’

Ludhiana: Unable to get essential commodities, migrant labourers are shifting from the industrial city of Ludhiana to their native places. Since the means of transport are unavailable due to Covid-19 lockdown these migrants have started their journey on foot and in groups. Raghu, a migrant labourer, says that they are headed to Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, which is 206 km from here, as they are unable to manage essential commodities.

“I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. If we go out, the police beat us up. We don’t know from where to buy atta-dal,” says he. Shambu, another one labourer, says the helpline numbers are going switched off and when they get connected, there’s no help. — Manav Mander