Lockdown: Migrant workers protest in Surat for better food

Surat, Apr 16 () Around 100 migrant workersgathered in an industrial area of Surat city in Gujarat onThursday afternoon and protested over the issue of food beingserved to them during the lockdown, officials said.

The migrant workers and their family members, mostlyfrom Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, sat on a street in Pandesaraarea, complaining that the food being served to them is not asper their taste, a local police officer said.

After being alerted about the incident, a police team,led by DCP Vidhi Chaudhari, rushed to the spot to convince theworkers to adhere to lockdown rules.

"It was a small issue about their food. The situationwas brought under control," Chaudhari said.

Talking to reporters, some of the migrants said thatfood being served to them by NGOs is not as per their taste,as they prefer spicy and non-veg food.

On Wednesday, hundreds of migrant workers had hit thestreets in Pandol industrial area with a similar demand.

Thousands of migrants working in factories, diamondpolishing units and textile units are stuck in Surat due tothe lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. Theyare being served food by the authorities with the help ofNGOs.

Two days back, migrant workers had come out in largenumbers in Varachha area demanding that they should beallowed to go to their native places.

Last week, migrant workers, mostly from Odisha, hadengaged in stone pelting and arson in Laskana area of the citywith similar demand. COR PJT PDNP NP