State governments should form flying squads to take care of migrants: Sharad Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday expressed despair over the death of 16 migrant workers in Aurangabad train accident while stating that the centre must work with the Maharashtra government to ensure that the migrant workers reached home safely. 

Labelling the incident as ‘heart-wrenching’, Pawar stated that this tragedy during the coronavirus pandemic does not only torment the mind but also raises serious questions regarding the safety of those travelling on foot to reach their native places amid the lockdown. 

“The workers in the unorganised sector are currently leaving cities due to unemployment. They should be taken care of by the contractors or owners,” Pawar said while stating that the state government should also take care of workers and their needs. 

“The state government should form flying squads to take care of the workers and their needs. The Central and state government should come together and address these issue immediately,” the NCP supremo said. 

Central Government must work closely in unison with the state governments to ensure that these migrants reach their homes safely.
My Condolences to families of the deceased, may their souls rest in peace.

— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) May 8, 2020

Pawar tweeted that the central government must work closely in unison with the state governments to ensure that migrant workers and labourers reach their homes, safety. 

Earlier today, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan announced financial help of ₹5 lakh each to the families of deceased migrant workers who were mowed down by a goods train on Friday near Karmad station in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. 

On Friday morning, at least 16 migrant workers were run over by a goods train between Jalna and Aurangabad. Five others escaped with injuries and were being treated in Aurangabad civil hospital. 

The migrant workers were walking along the rail tracks to go to their homes in Madhya Pradesh but slept there due to exhaustion after walking for nearly 36 kilometres. The workers worked at an iron factory in Jalna and were walking home amid the coronavirus lockdown. 

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