Migrant Workers in Punjab Fearful After Moga Shooting, Await Government Action
In the wake of a shocking shooting incident in Punjab's Moga district, migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are living in fear, with many questioning their safety in the state. The attack, which targeted laborers on Tuesday, has sent ripples of panic through the community, prompting calls for immediate government intervention to restore law and order.
Details of the Attack
Subodh Kumar, a 22-year-old from Bihar working at a rice sheller in Moga, along with his cousin Ashok, was walking to their room for lunch when three masked men on a motorcycle opened fire. Ashok was shot in the leg, while Subodh suffered a graze from a bullet. The assailants, who filmed the incident and uploaded it to Instagram from an account named Nirvair Singh, issued a chilling warning. They demanded that migrants from UP and Bihar leave Punjab, claiming they were "spoiling the state's atmosphere" and threatening village leaders who help them obtain voter and Aadhaar cards.
Subodh, speaking from his hospital bed, expressed his terror: "If this continues, how can we stay here, risking our lives? Our families are telling us to return home if the situation doesn't improve." He added that this was the first such attack he or his family had experienced in Punjab, a state they had long considered safe.
Industry and Union Concerns
The incident has alarmed industry heads and migrant unions, who warn that such violence could exacerbate existing labor shortages in Punjab. Upkar Singh Ahuja, President of the Ludhiana-based Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings, stated: "This is a clear attempt to destabilize law and order. Migrant workers are the backbone of Punjab's industries and agriculture; without them, the economy would suffer." He emphasized that the attack tarnishes Punjab's reputation and could deter future investment.
Tulsi Ram Misra, chairman of the Ludhiana Focal Point Welfare Association and a migrant from UP, blamed the deteriorating law and order situation. He noted that migrants are increasingly targeted by criminals, with incidents like phone snatchings becoming common. Misra criticized political leaders for inflammatory rhetoric, citing former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's 2022 statement about expelling migrants as harmful to social harmony.
Political Reactions
Political parties have condemned the attack, calling it a hate crime and urging the Aam Aadmi Party-led state government to take swift action. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar wrote on social media: "This is not Punjabiyat. The government must wake up and act against forces creating divisions." Similarly, Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal described the situation as "complete lawlessness" and a conspiracy to destabilize Punjab.
Ram Kuma Yadav, president of the Yadav Ahir Mahasabha, an NGO supporting migrants, asserted: "This is a hate crime, not just a regular offense. Migrants from UP and Bihar are essential to Punjab's economy, especially in Ludhiana." He believes that ordinary Punjabis do not support such attacks, attributing the violence to gangsters seeking to sow discord.
Broader Implications
The Moga incident occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions, including recent village resolutions to ban migrants following a crime in Hoshiarpur. Misra estimates that Punjab hosts around 50 lakh migrants from UP and Bihar, but the state already faces a 40% labor shortage due to factors like poor law and order and industrial growth in other states. He warned: "This attack could worsen the shortage, harming Punjab's competitiveness in agriculture and industry."
As migrant workers like Subodh weigh their options, the state government faces mounting pressure to ensure safety and prevent further polarization. With Punjab Assembly polls on the horizon, the handling of this crisis could have significant political and economic repercussions.
