No Data Available On Rumours Over Incidents Of Attacks On Migrant Workers: Centre Tells Parliament

The Centre has informed Parliament that it has no data on rumours regarding incidents of attacks on migrant workers in states.

The Centre on Tuesday informed Parliament that it has no data on rumours regarding incidents of attacks on migrant workers, action taken by States and migration of workers from one state to another state. It added that these all are State subjects and no data as such is maintained centrally about the same.

Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha in an answer to a question on migrant workers by TMC MP Saugata Ray. The minister said that the incidents come under 'Police and Public Order' which are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.

He said, "The State Governments are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through the machinery of their law enforcement agencies as also for protecting the life and property of the citizens."

The Centre, however, said that it takes cognizance of various incidents and depending upon the gravity of the crime, seeks reports from the concerned State governments and takes quick remedial action. "The Government also supplements the efforts of State Governments by deploying additional Central Police Forces for maintaining the Law and Order. Ministry of Home Affairs has issued advisories to States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into his/her own hand is punished promptly as per law." the minister asserted.

He further said, " An advisory dated 04.07.2018 was issued to the States and UTs to keep watch on circulation of fake news and rumours having potential of inciting violence, take all required measures to counter them effectively and to deal firmly with persons taking law into their own hands." 

This comes weeks after a video emerged on social media showing 'attack' on migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu that spread crossfire between the state government and the opposition parties. Later, police claimed the video to be fake but the matter did not settle here. The issue was further raised in Bihar when BJP MPs created a chaos over conduct of Bihar government in safeguarding its migrants.