Mandi market shut for 2 hours, verification of migrants sought

The market in Mandi city and Sundernagar remained shut for two hours today on a protest call given by the Beopar Mandal. The protesters demanded stricter monitoring and regulation of migrant labourers working in Himachal Pradesh from other states.

Rajesh Mohindru, pradhan of the Beopar Mandal Mandi, said that the shutdown was a symbolic protest in support of their demand for a more rigorous system for the identification and registration of migrant workers. “We are not opposed to migrant labourers but there is need for proper identification and tracking of migrants, many of whom are living in rented accommodation and engaged in minimal business activities,” he added.

The Beopar Mandal is urging the state government and the district administration to make the identification process mandatory for house owners, who rent their properties to migrant workers. This verification would require the owners to ensure that the antecedents of the migrants were checked and they were registered with local police stations.

The protest was not related to the recent controversy over the illegal construction of a mosque in Mandi. Mahindru said that the Beopar Mandal’s action was not intended to target any particular religion or community. “Instead, our focus remains on ensuring effective and timely action by the state government to address contentious issues and maintain communal harmony,” he added.

The shutdown elicited support from various local businesses and residents. The Beopar Mandal hoped that its protest would prompt the district authorities to take swift and effective steps to address their concerns.