Super 6: Exodus of north Indians from Gujarat still underway

Hundreds of dejected labourers from Gujarat got off from Gandhidham Express this afternoon, most of them having no clue of when they’ll return. The horrific rape of a 14-month-old toddler by a Bihari migrant labourer has rendered thousands from the region jobless.

Non-Gujaratis, mainly from UP & Bihar, were targeted and hate messages circulated against them on social media after the accused was arrested for allegedly raping the toddler on September 28. The incident took place in Sabarkantha district and is among the six districts along with Mehsana mainly affected by the violence.

ABP News spoke to one Rajesh Sahini, who disembarked the train here along with his wife and their three-year-old child, to go to his hometown Muzaffarpur. Describing what happened in the past few days, he said, “A toddler was raped and the local men (thakurs) asked us to leave the city. The company in which we worked was given police protection but we are poor people, how would we get security,” he sighed.

Sahini said his employer has assured of sending his salary to his account but hasn’t informed him when he can return. “I don’t know if I will be reinstated in the job.”

Fearing for her life, Sahini’s wife has vowed to never return to the western state.

The outbreak of violence against people from their states prompted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to call up their Gujarat counterpart to express concern. Both urged CM Vijay Rupani to take strict action against those behind the attacks.  The chief minister assured that action would be taken and such attacks will be stopped