24K migrants register in Panchkula; 1K ferried so far

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, May 16

Though Saharanpur-bound buses were supposed to leave at 11 am, Brij Kumar (29), a migrant from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, reached the Kalka bus stand at 6 am. Finally, he felt relieved at 10.30 am when an official called out his name and asked him to board the bus.

“These two months were most difficult for us. We hardly had anything to eat. We begged for food. Even the policemen beat us. Officials showed no sympathy whatsoever,” said, Brij with tears running down his cheeks.

Waiting for their turn

Numerous stranded labourers from Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, who had gathered at the Kalka bus stand since early morning were a harried lot.

As per the Haryana Government’s policy, migrants from distant states will be sent through trains. However, the Panchkula administration is yet to announce schedule.

“This is a cruel joke. We have gone through the entire process, including getting a fitness certificate from doctors. Then why officials are not allowing us to head back to our homes,” said Kanhaiya Kumar (32), who hails from Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and visits the bus stand daily.

He wasn’t able to attend last rites of his father, who passed away on May 10. Kanhaiya had approached the Kalka SDM office to attend his father’s funeral, but officials allowed only two people to go back.

“I couldn’t leave behind my wife and children. Villagers conducted last rites of my father,” he said. Kanhaiya said they would travel on foot if no arrangement is made.

Kalka Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rakesh Sandhu, said, “We have ferried around 1,000 stranded migrants to Saharanpur in 33 special buses. This include a few buses from temporary shelter homes as well.”