Subarnapur migrant worker dies in train sans treatment TUESDAY, 01 NOVEMBER 2011 22:06 SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR HITS: 17 User Rating: / 0

Subarnapur migrant worker dies in train sans treatment
TUESDAY, 01 NOVEMBER 2011 22:06 SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR HITS: 17
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It is common to find a large number of people from Balangir district resorting to the course of migration every year to brick kilns of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to earn bread. But, more often than not, that lands them in a world of torture and exploitation.

This time the report of the death of a labourer during journey in a train and the trauma of the accompanying persons from neighbouring Subarnapur district has shocked many.

Sources said Santanu Biswal and Tarunkumar of Kandhpali village under Menda panchayat of Subarnapur district had migrated to Chennai two months ago and were working at a spare part company. Another person of nearby Ardda village had also migrated to Chennai with the same mission. As Tarunkumar fell ill, he was sent back to his home along with two ohers. While returning, Tarun Kumar died at Vijayawada station on October 27. He could not avail treatment due to lack of money. Seeing the dead body, the Viziaanagarm railway police detained the other two.

However, after the detained migrant labourers communicated the news to their family members, Dhruba Biswal, father of Santanu submitted a petition to Subarnapur Collector Gagan Behari Swain to rescue his son and others.

The DC took up the matter with his Vizianagaram counter part and requested him through a fax message to take step for the smooth release of the two detained laboueres. Getting the fax message, the Vijanagaram district administration intervened. The dead body after 24 hours was stinking and so was consigned to flame after discussion with his family members. The local Rotary Club and Municipality provided all support. Then the detained persons were let off, who soon returned home.

To incident made the Subarnapur district administration to sensitize the local people here to go through registered contactors to outside States after holding a village meeting. “Necessary instructions were issued to all gram panchayats of the district to ensure the registration of migrant labourers taken by contractors. Besides, the contractors were asked to register with the DLO”, District Collector Swain said.