BHUBANESWAR: Rumours about an attack on Hindi-speaking labourers triggered panic among migrant workers from Odisha, who are working in different parts of Tamil Nadu.
Despite the state government and industries assuring them of all help, they still feel worried for the coming days.
Many Odia people are working in large numbers in Chennai, Tirupur, Coimbatore and other cities. They are engaged in construction projects, textile and apparel industry, hotel and tourism sector, food processing, plumbing and electronics industries, brick kilns and other fields.
Sumanta Swain from Ganjam, who is presently working in Chennai, said he along with his group of friends from Odisha could not go outside the company premises fearing any untoward incident.
“I saw some videos via WhatsApp about attacks on Hindi-speaking people. Some people say these videos are fake, but we do not know what is true. Government is telling us that nothing will happen to any migrant worker,” he added.
He said some people from Bihar and other north Indian states have planned to leave the workplace to return home.
“We are confused. We do not know what will happen next. But we have not planned to return home,” he added.
Santosh Tarai, another worker from Ganjam, said the company officials called a meeting and told the workers not to believe the rumours.
“I have never seen Tamil people behave badly with us. I cannot believe that they will target Hindi-speaking people. Yet we panicked after watching some people planning to leave the place,” he added.
National Coalition on Migrant Labourers convenor Sudarshan Chhotoray said Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has issued a statement on Twitter about the safety of migrant workers.
“We are keeping watch on the situation. We have requested our brothers and sisters working there not to believe rumour and rumour mongers,” he added.
Despite the state government and industries assuring them of all help, they still feel worried for the coming days.
Many Odia people are working in large numbers in Chennai, Tirupur, Coimbatore and other cities. They are engaged in construction projects, textile and apparel industry, hotel and tourism sector, food processing, plumbing and electronics industries, brick kilns and other fields.
Sumanta Swain from Ganjam, who is presently working in Chennai, said he along with his group of friends from Odisha could not go outside the company premises fearing any untoward incident.
“I saw some videos via WhatsApp about attacks on Hindi-speaking people. Some people say these videos are fake, but we do not know what is true. Government is telling us that nothing will happen to any migrant worker,” he added.
He said some people from Bihar and other north Indian states have planned to leave the workplace to return home.
“We are confused. We do not know what will happen next. But we have not planned to return home,” he added.
Santosh Tarai, another worker from Ganjam, said the company officials called a meeting and told the workers not to believe the rumours.
“I have never seen Tamil people behave badly with us. I cannot believe that they will target Hindi-speaking people. Yet we panicked after watching some people planning to leave the place,” he added.
National Coalition on Migrant Labourers convenor Sudarshan Chhotoray said Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has issued a statement on Twitter about the safety of migrant workers.
“We are keeping watch on the situation. We have requested our brothers and sisters working there not to believe rumour and rumour mongers,” he added.
Migrant workers in Tamil Nadu are as safe as in their native states and my government is steadfast in protecting th… https://t.co/09NYBdkmVz
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) 1677925419000
“Migrant workers in Tamil Nadu are as safe as in their native states and my government is steadfast in protecting their rights. I warn of strict action against the Anti-Indian forces spreading hatred with the vile intention of disturbing the peace and harmony of our country,” the chief minister said in his tweet.