Thousands Of Migrant Labourers From Bihar Flee Kashmir Valley After Facing Threats From Locals: Report

As per a report in Open magazine, in the aftermath of the central government’s decision to revoke Jammu & Kashmir’s special status by doing away with Article 370, thousands of seasonal labourers from Bihar who were working in the Kashmir Valley have started fleeing the region due to threats by locals.

“They were hurling abuses at me and asked me to leave; they said they will kill me otherwise,” said Surinder Mahato, a 56-year old daily wage labourer from Bihar.

As of 11.15 am on 7 August, 40 buses carrying such migrant labourers had already departed from the Valley for Jammu. Similarly, thousands had fled on 6 August towards the relative safety of Jammu.

The migrant workers mainly come to the valley during summers due to the cool weather and the possibility of earning higher wages. Most of them earn about Rs 500-600 for a day’s work.

Some of the labourers said that even stones had been thrown at them in order to intimidate them to leave. A number of workers also say that their wages have been unpaid but they’re forced to leave fearing for their lives.