Migrant labourers attack supervisor for engaging Malayali workers in Kottayam

Kottayam: A supervisor at a construction site was injured after being attacked by some migrant labourers for engaging Malayali workers in their absence. 

Biju Mathew (45), hailing from Aluva, was attacked at the construction site of the Yendayar East Bridge which was destroyed in the flood. With the government restricting the labour hours in the hot weather, the supervisor had proposed for an early morning shift from 6 am to 11 am. However, the migrant workers did not come for work, resulting in a standstill till 8:30 am. In order to avoid wastage of machine-prepared concrete mix, crucial for reinforcing the bridge's foundation, Biju Mathew sought help from some local labourers for the work.

However, the circumstances took a violent turn after four local workers started working. The guest workers, adamantly opposed to the presence of Malayali labourers, pounced on the supervisor, leaving him injured on the ground. They also tried to hit him with a stone. Local labourers and residents held back the assailants following which Peruvanthanam Police reached the spot and shifted the guest workers from there. 

Despite sustaining injuries, Biju Mathew remained at the site, overseeing emergency operations in the absence of other supervisors. It was not until evening when the contractor intervened to resolve the issue at the police station. The migrant labourers were paid their wages before they left. 
Meanwhile, no case was filed as there was no complaint lodged. According to the local residents, it was for the first time that the migrant labourers indulged in violence in protest against Malayali workers being employed.