Gujarat Violence: Bihar ADG Says Migrant Workers Returning To Celebrate Diwali

In connection with attacks on Non-Gujaratis, especially those hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the state, the government informed that 431 arrests have been made so far. Assuring security to the migrants, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani appealed to people not to engage in violence and said 56 FIRs registered in connection with the attacks.

Bihar's ADG statement has now given a new angle to the violence and migration of people in Bihar in Gujarat.

ADG SK Singhal says that according to the feedback received from Gujarat, most people are returning to celebrate the festival of Diwali and Chhath. He further assured that Bihari people are safe in Gujarat.

Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts, most of them in north Gujarat, have seen sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people. The victim belongs to the Thakor community.

One Ravindra Sahu, a labourer hailing from Bihar and working in a local ceramic factory, was arrested the same day for the toddler's rape. After it came to light that the rape accused hailed from Bihar, the Kshatriya Thakor Sena said migrant workers from other states should not be given jobs in Gujarat.

A mob, allegedly led by Thakor Sena members, stormed a factory near Vadnagar town of Mehsana district on October 2 and thrashed two employees.

Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad president Maheshsingh Kushwah claimed that over 20,000 people belonging to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar had fled Gujarat due to the prevailing situation.

"Over 20,000 migrants from these states have fled due to fear as Hindi-speaking people are being attacked in different parts of the state. All non-Gujaratis should not be seen as culprits for the misdeeds of one person," he said.

Opposition parties have criticised the Gujarat state government for allowing the attacks on the migrant workers to take place.