Delhi stops its garib hatao drive, Gurgaon apologises

A day after HT carried the story (Labourers ‘deported’ for Games clean up) of daily wagers and migrant semi-skilled workers being forced to leave the city as part of a ‘clean up drive’, the Delhi Police clarified the move was only part of a verification drive.

A day after HT carried the story (Labourers ‘deported’ for Games clean up) of daily wagers and migrant semi-skilled workers being forced to leave the city as part of a ‘clean up drive’, the Delhi Police clarified the move was only part of a verification drive.

HT Image

"No one is being made to leave the city," a senior Delhi police officer said on the condition of anonymity.

Labourers in different areas confirmed the police were not forcing them to leave the city anymore. “The policemen said they would not make us leave the city now. They just want us to have our verification done," said Rajendra Nath Malik, a dhaba owner and a resident of the Rangpuri slums.

The Gurgaon Police, meanwhile, admitted some inconvenience might have been caused. Joint Commissioner of Police (Gurgaon) Alok Mittal said a few junior cops may have harassed the labourers. “We’ll accept undertaking from employers if workers don’t carry IDs,” he said.