Thiruvananthapuram: Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman alleged that migrant workers taking to the streets in protest amid the lockdown at Payippad in Changanassery was part of some conspiracy. The Kottayam SP has been directed to probe the matter.
The minister also asserted that the migrant workers will not be sent back to their native amid the lockdown over the COVID-19 outbreak.
“As per the reports, migrant workers from Pathanamthitta also joined the protest at Payippad. It was a planned protest. The police department has been directed to probe the matter,” said the minister.
Thilothaman also noted that the government is responsible to ensure the welfare of migrant workers and treat them with respect and better facilities than the ones available in their natives.
Meanwhile, the district administration also alleged conspiracy behind the mass protest. Last day, the district administration officials visited the camps of migrant workers and inspected the facilities provided to them. The workers did not raise any complaint to the officials at the camp. But surprisingly they staged the protest on Sunday.
A review meeting was summoned by minister Thilothaman at Changanassery on Sunday. During the meeting, the minister ordered the Kottayam SP to carry out a probe into the matter.
Kottayam district collector Sudheer Kumar, SP and Kochi range IG also attended the meeting.
Thousands of migrant labourers at Payippad near Changanassery had taken to the road to protest demanding vehicles for them to return to their native.