Row Over 'Attack' On Migrant Labourers: Tamil Nadu Officials Reveal Details, Dismiss Rumours

Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar Deputy CM said, "Tamil Nadu DGP C Sylendra Babu has given a statement that someone from Bihar has posted videos of Bihar labourers being beaten in Tamil Nadu but this is 'fake'."

Tamil Nadu police have issued helplines 94981-01320, 0421-2970017 for north Indians facing issues

Source : ABP Nadu

Chennai: Videos and posts of the alleged attack on migrant labourers especially Biharis had snowballed into a massive row and now the police and district administration have stated that the posts shared on social media are fake. The issue comes a day after Bihar Deputy CM visited Tamil Nadu to attend an event organised by DMK on the occassion of TN CM MK Stalin's birthday as a show of strength and Opposition unity ahead of 2024 Parliamentary elections in Chennai. However, the Deputy CM drew ire from BJP for visiting the state. 

The 'rumour' over attacks against migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu started after a news report and tweet, which was first circulated by one identified as Mohamad Tanvir, who had photos and videos and claimed that North Indians were being attacked in Tamil Nadu. 

The posts soon snowballed and became the talk of the town. 

• After the viral video, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar took to social media and said, "I have come to know through newspapers about the attacks on labourers from Bihar working in Tamil Nadu. I have directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Bihar to talk to the officials of the Tamil Nadu Government and ensure the safety of the labourers from Bihar living there."

           

मुझे समाचार पत्रों के माध्यम से तमिलनाडु में काम कर रहे बिहार के मजदूरों पर हो रहे हमले की जानकारी मिली है। मैंने बिहार के मुख्य सचिव एवं पुलिस महानिदेशक को तमिलनाडु सरकार के अधिकारियों से बात कर वहां रह रहे बिहार के मजदूरों की सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने का निदेश दिया है।

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) March 2, 2023

• Soon after the reaction of Nitish Kumar, Tamil Nadu DGP Sylendra Babu said, the videos showing attacks on migrant labourers are false and mischievous. The two clashes that took place were not between the migrant labourers and Tamils. One of the clashes was between two migrant labourers and another was between the people of Tamil Nadu. Therefore, Sylendra Babu said that action would be taken against the people spreading false information. 

• Yet, the BJP created a ruckus in Bihar Assembly on Friday against the alleged attacks on Bihari labourers in Tamil Nadu. After the ruckus, the Deputy CM was forced to read out the statement of TN DGP Sylendra Babu at the Assembly.  Yadav also said that they (BJP) shout Bharat Mata Ki Jai but isn't Tamil Nadu a part of India. 
  

  Patna | Tamil Nadu DGP C Sylendra Babu has given a statement that someone from Bihar has posted videos of Bihar labourers being beaten in Tamil Nadu but this is 'fake': Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar Depy CM on videos showing alleged attacks on Bihar migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/WrJiyvKwUh

  — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2023

• On the other hand, Tiruppur police registered a FIR against the social media user who posted the video and images. A press release said, "For spreading misleading videos viral in social media, a case has been registered in Cyber Crime PS Cr. NO : 08/23 U/s 153(B), 505(2) IPC, 66D of IT Act against the twitter post and it is under investigation."
  
  

• Tiruppur Police Commissioner  Praveen Kumar Abhinapu also came forward to confirm that two videos that were circulated was false. He said, "One video from Tiruppur on January 14 was based on the incident in a tea stall, however, the people involved in the incident were arrested and two of them were produced before the court."

        Only rumours say that the clash was between guest workers and local residents, he said. 

• The Tamil Nadu police have formed a control room to report and address the complaints of migrant labourers. The state formed a special control room with Hindi speaking officials to run helplines for 24*7. The north Indians facing issues can reach through the numbers 94981-01320, 0421-2970017.

             

#TiruppurDistrictPolice pic.twitter.com/LVBlcQsTEG

— Tiruppur District Police (@tiruppursmc) March 3, 2023

• The Tiruppur District police have also taken to social media to dispel the rumours about the ongoing issue. The police said, “Kindly do not believe the rumours swirling in the social media platforms. The administration and Police are always working towards your safety and security.“
  
  The police also shared videos of migrant labourers declaring that the videos were false.
  
  
• The district police of Tamil Nadu are conducting awareness campaigns to gain the confidence of migrant labourers at the workplace. Such campaigns have been conducted in places including Uthukkuli, Palladam and Avinashipalayam.
  
  
• The various associations working with labourers across the state have come out in support of the workers. Dr A Sakthivel, Honorary Chairman, Tiruppur Exporters' Association on alleged "attacks" on migrant labourers in TN said, “A group working against the country is behind this. All exporters stand with you. We've issued a helpline no. 8883920500 for the labourers. We appeal to you all to stay here.”
  
  The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry and Southern India Mills' Association said, “There is no clash between the migrant workers and local workers and the circulation of such information is false and not revealing of the true state of affairs.”
   
• Tamil Nadu Labour Welfare and Skill Development Minister CV Ganesan on Friday stated that there was no truth in the post and Tamil Nadu is known for peace. Hence, appropriate action will be taken against those spreading such news. 
  
  
• On Saturday, TN CM Stalin reacted to the issue and called the rumour mongers as those against the harmony of India. He also called Bihar CM Nitish Kumar over the phone and assured him that none of the issues will impact the migrant workers.

• “Those who spread rumours that migrant workers are being attacked in Tamil Nadu are against the Indian nation. They cause integrity to the country. It is highly condemnable that some people are indulging in doing such dirty politics on the social media,” CM Stalin said.

• “The workers of the north need not have any fear. If someone threatens them, they make seek help through the helpline numbers of the police department that have been notified, and I assure that action will be taken on receipt of complaints. I would like to kindly inform the labour brothers who have come from other states that this government and the people of Tamil Nadu will work for all the state workers here and I request you not to have any fear on the basis of false news,” a statement issued from the office of secretary of Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Chennai, read.