KOCHI: Barely four years after Maoist leader Malla Raja Reddy was arrested from a migrant labourer settlement in Angamaly, the police are not updated regarding the current situation of migrant labourers in Angamaly and nearby areas.“It is not easy to keep track of the migrants as they are a floating population. They keep changing their workplaces as often as they like. Since they live in highly congested settlements, it is easy for a person to slip off amidst them. However, we have tightened security measures in these areas by conducting strict monitoring and frequent inspections. We are also speeding up the procedures to keep track of the migrant workers by registering their pictures and finger prints,” K P Philip, Ernakulam Rural SP, told Express. However, he asserted that the current scenario is not alarming.“It has been found that there are not many security threats from among the migrant population in these areas. Although there have been instances where drugs have been found, these are mostly in small quantities, indicating that they are not selling drugs. There have not been any theft cases registered against them either,” said Philip.Meanwhile, social workers are of the opinion that the authorities should also try to give consideration to the problems faced by migrant labourers. “The working and living conditions which the migrant labourers are subjected to are very harsh. They are exploited to the fullest extent possible and are denied basic human rights. If these circumstances continue, they will be soon pushed to the edge of their tolerance levels and their suppressed anger might lead them to commit crimes. If we do not treat the migrant workers properly and respect their rights, we might as well be training them to become rogues and criminals,” said social activist Geo Jose.
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