Industrialists raise concern over rise in crime against migrants

Citing an upsurge in snatching incidents in Focal Point areas, industrialists said that the migrant workers had started refusing night shifts.

The industrialists added that the cases being reported to the police are just the tip of iceberg as most of the victims fear being harassed by the cops.

Talking to The Tribune, Pankaj Sharma, president, ATIU, said that there was an urgent need to upgrade the law & order situation in the city especially the industrial areas.

“Due to the increasing lawlessness in the industrial areas, factory workers have stopped working during night shifts. Factory owners are being compelled to suspend night-shift productions,” Sharma added.

The meeting of th executive committee of ATIU was also held recently to discuss the issue and request administration to render all sort of help.

“It is a matter of serious concern that a majority of such incidents remain unreported. Affected workers refrain from approaching the authorities due to fear of harassment and, partly, due to a lack of confidence in the police system to take timely and effective action. This situation has not only adversely affected the productivity of industrial units but has also severely impacted worker morale,” he further said.

Anil Sachdeva, senior vice-president of the ATIU said that even the newly-migrated labour was reluctant to work to the industrial city due to the rising number of crime incidents against migrants.