The Gram Panchayat in Mohali's Mundho Sangtian village sparked controversy by passing a directive mandating migrant workers to vacate the village.
Authorities in Punjab’s Mohali issued a directive compelling migrant labourers, who form the backbone of Punjab’s workforce, to vacate their homes in the village, sparking concerns and questions among local communities. Migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are known to leave their native villages in search of livelihoods in states like Punjab, contributing significantly to the region’s economy through various occupations. However, recent events have highlighted their precarious status as they navigate life away from their home states.
The Gram Panchayat in Mohali’s Mundho Sangtian village sparked controversy by passing a directive mandating migrant workers to vacate the village. The proposal prohibits local villagers from offering accommodation to migrants and plans to halt the issuance of any future identity cards for migrants within the village.
Furthermore, the proposal specifies that migrants will be denied rental accommodation in the village. Existing migrant residents have been given a few days’ timeframe to vacate the village. According to reports, there are currently five families renting homes in the village, comprising approximately 15 to 20 individuals.
According to villagers, the increasing presence of migrant workers allegedly led to a rise in criminal and anti-social activities, adversely affecting the local community’s well-being and future generations. Village member Manjit Singh said that the unanimous decision to pass the proposal was prompted by incidents involving a migrant woman’s misconduct and various anti-social activities attributed to many migrants in the village.
