Punjab’s industrial capital, Ludhiana witnessed violent protests by migrant labourers on December 4. As reported in the news media, a large number of migrant workers, mostly hailing from Bihar and UP, working in the industrial units in Ludhiana, gathered to protest the police inaction in taking measures against a gang of motor cycle riders who rob the migrant workers of their earnings in the first week of every month.

The agitators blocked traffic along the Grand Trunk Road as well as movement of trains to and from Ludhiana. They also blocked railway tracks, disrupting rail traffic between Ludhiana and Amritsar.

According to news reports, an attempt was made to instigate local youth against the protesting migrant workers, leading to violent clashes.

The police attacked the protestors with lathis and tear gas, and also fired some rounds in the air. Several protestors were injured. Indefinite curfew was imposed under five police station areas of Ludhiana - Focal Point, Shimla Puri, Division No. 7, Division No. 6 and Sanewal, which was reported to have been partially lifted by December 5.

Traffic on the Delhi-Ludhiana-Jalandhar National Highway had to be diverted via the Sirhind Canal by-pass road from Doraha due to the protests by the migrants.

Migrant workers from Bihar and UP are a large part of the work force in many industrial areas in various states all over India. They are severely exploited by the capitalists, often paid less than minimum wages, forced to live and work in utterly degrading and inhuman conditions. In addition they are regularly looted of their meager earnings by gangs supported by the state. They are constantly under threat that if they raise their voice in protest, they will be thrown out of their jobs. On top of all this, they are attacked by the police and security personnel whenever they try to register their protest. In many cases, local workers are instigated by the capitalists and their henchmen to attack the migrant workers, by spreading the insidious propaganda that they are ‘taking away the jobs of the local people’.

The Indian state, which defends the interests of the capitalists, does nothing to ensure the safety and dignity of these millions of migrant workers all over the country. It is in this context that the anger and frustration pent up in the migrant workers, which found expression in the violent protests in Ludhiana, have to be understood.

MEL denounces the Indian state for its criminal role in defending the super exploitation of the migrant workers in the interests of the capitalists, and for failing in its responsibility to provide security and dignity to the workers.