Migrant workers stranded at Jalandhar railway station, bus stand

Avneet Kaur

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Jalandhar, March 22

“I have no idea what to do and where to go. I have no money to stay here on rent with my wife and one-month-old son as I am a daily wager,” said 28-year-old Jaiprakash, who was unaware of ‘Janata Curfew’ on Sunday. He was lying on the floor outside the city railway station.

Jaiprakash, who hails from Sitapur (UP), had to travel to Ludhiana, but as the train services were suspended in view of Janata Curfew, he was forced to wait outside the railway station.

“All shops were closed and the city wore a deserted look. I am worried about my wife and kid as we do not have enough food and milk,” he said, adding that he went to see his aunt at Sitapur who was not well. He said as he was to join back his work from Monday, he travelled to reach his rented accommodation in Ludhiana. Like Jaiprakash, close to 20 migrant workers were found stranded at the city railway station and the bus stand with their families. They have traveled from UP and Bihar to reach Ludhiana, Ambala, Pathankot and other places. They said the government must look out for ways to make those people aware who do not have TVs and smartphones.

Kavita Devi, who works as a domestic help in Ambala, said she had gone to her village in Bihar a month ago to attend the marriage of her sister’s daughter. She said she had no idea about the cancelation of trains. She said had she knew about it, she would have come back earlier.