‘You’re safe in my state, don’t worry’: Uddhav Thackeray tells migrants to stay put

In his message to migrant workers, CM Uddhav Thackeray said they were not in a lockup and should therefore maintain discipline for the next two weeks after which arrangements will be made to have them sent home.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray assured migrant workers who had gathered near the Bandra railway station on Tuesday afternoon demanding the resumption of train services to carry them home in violation of the lockdown orders, that they were not in a lockup and should therefore maintain discipline for the next two weeks after which arrangements will be made to have them sent home, reported news agency ANI.

Police personnel try to control migrant workers as they gather outside Bandra West Railway Station defying lockdown norms and request to leave for their native places after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the extension of nationwide lockdown till May 3 in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Mumbai, Tuesday, April 14, 2020. (PTI)

“Nobody wants that you stay in lockup without your will. Lockdown doesn’t mean lockup. It is our country,” Uddhav was reported as saying.

He reminded the migrant labourers who had gathered in huge numbers triggering fears of a repeat of the situation seen in Delhi’s Anand Vihar last month when several thousands of migrant workers lined up at the interstate bus terminus hoping to catch a ride home, that they were safe in Maharashtra.

“You’re safe in my state, and don’t worry. The day when lockdown will be lifted, not only me, but Centre also will make arrangements for you,” Uddhav was quoted as saying by ANI.

Watch | Mumbai: Wave of migrant workers swamp bus stand after lockdown extension

The crowd of over 1,000 migrant workers had begun gathering within hours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to extend the national lockdown till May 3 after the first phase of 21-day-long lockdown ended today.

The crowd could be controlled late in the afternoon only after a mid lathicharge and use of force by the police. The migrants were insisting that arrangements be made to take them home since they were struggling to get food in the state.

Police officials later assured them that they will be provided food, most of these migrant workers are said to be from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The incident led to a political blame game with Shiv Sena and BJP leaders blaming each other for the situation. Maharashtra minister and Uddhav’s son Aditya Thackeray initially blamed the centre for not letting the migrants go home at the initial stages of the lockdown. He, however, appeared to have struck a conciliatory note little later by claiming that the migrant situation presented a dilemma equally complex for both states and the centre to handle.

ANI reported that Home minister Amit Shah had called up Uddhav and stressed on the need to not let the situation defeat the purpose of social distancing and other containment efforts.