Hoshiarpur Panchayats Enforce Stricter Regulations for Migrant Labourers After Tragic Incident

Following the tragic death of a five-year-old boy, Hoshiarpur panchayats have decided to enforce stricter regulations against migrant labourers, stopping document attestations. This decision comes amid rising tensions and public outrage over the incident.

In the wake of a tragic incident involving a five-year-old boy's murder in Hoshiarpur on 9 September, several village councils have decided to stop verifying documents for migrant workers. This decision comes despite Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's call against discrimination. The boy was kidnapped while playing outside his home and later found dead in a cremation ground in Pur Hiran locality.

The accused, Manke Yadav, a migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh residing in Subzi Mandi, was arrested. Police allege he abducted, assaulted, and strangled the child. The post-mortem revealed multiple injuries on the boy's body. This incident has sparked widespread anger in Hoshiarpur and nearby areas.

Village Panchayats' Response

Following the incident, sarpanches from about 20 villages, including Chak Sadhu and Nandan, convened on 13 September in Bajwara. They resolved that panchayats would no longer verify documents for migrants lacking valid Punjab identification. Migrants without proper papers would not be allowed to reside in these villages.

Bajwara sarpanch Rajesh Kumar Bobby Mahe stated that migrants without valid identity papers must vacate the villages. Those with documents like Aadhaar or PAN were informed that their relatives from outside would not have their papers verified by the panchayat.

Land Encroachment Concerns

Mahe claimed that many migrants had illegally occupied panchayat land, building permanent homes with utilities but not paying rent. A complaint regarding this was submitted to the deputy commissioner on 8 September. He noted that around 200-250 migrant workers live in Bajwara under such conditions.

The sarpanches also requested support from Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain to enforce these resolutions. They emphasized that migrant workers renting homes could only stay if landlords took full responsibility and provided a written undertaking to the panchayat.

Chief Minister's Stand Against Discrimination

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed reporters in Chandigarh about the village councils' stance against migrants. He argued against discrimination, citing Punjabis running businesses in places like Raipur, Chhattisgarh. "Tomorrow they could be sent out as well," he said, stressing that such actions should not occur.

The incident has led to similar resolutions being passed by panchayats in other areas like Jaja and Zahura villages in Tanda sub-division. The community's response highlights ongoing tensions regarding migrant workers and local governance issues.

With inputs from PTI