Market in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi shut down in protest over monitoring migrant labourers

The market in Mandi town was shut down for two hours on Saturday in a protest organised by the Beopar Mandal Mandi. The move aimed to draw attention to the perceived need for stricter monitoring and regulation of migrant labourers coming into Himachal Pradesh from other states.

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Rajesh Mahindru, Pradhan of Beopar Mandal Mandi, emphasised that the shutdown was a symbolic gesture to advocate for a more rigorous system of identification for migrant workers.

“We are not opposed to the presence of migrant labourers. However, there is a pressing need for proper identification and tracking. Many migrants have been living in rented accommodations and engaging in minimal business activities without any form of official identification,” Mahindru stated.

The Beopar Mandal is urging both the state government and district administration to implement mandatory verification processes for house owners who rent out their properties to migrant workers. This verification would require the owners to ensure that they are checked and registered with local police stations. The organisation believes this step will help in managing the influx and ensuring safety and order in the community.

The protest was not related to recent controversies over the illegal construction of a mosque in Mandi.

Mahindru clarified that the Beopar Mandal’s actions were not intended to target any particular religion or community. Instead, the focus remains on ensuring effective and timely action by the state government to address issues and maintain harmony between different groups.

The market shutdown drew significant attention and was supported by various local businesses and residents who share concerns about the unregulated presence of migrant labourers. The Beopar Mandal is hopeful that their protest will prompt swift and effective responses from the authorities to address these concerns and improve local governance.