AHMEDABAD:
Gujarat high court on Thursday asked the state government to state on an affidavit what measures it has undertaken to curb assaults on migrant workers and to provide safety to them so that they stop fleeing the state.
The HC sought details from the government in response to a PIL filed by advocate K R Koshti seeking directions to the government to initiate action against people who are involved in assaults on migrants and against police officials who have failed to discharge their duties.
During the hearing, additional advocate
general Prakash Jani submitted before the court that the state government is committed to provide security and look after well-being of every citizen irrespective of caste, creed, religion and his birthplace. All miscreants who spread rumours and create rift and differences among people would be dealt with strictly. Every citizen is near and dear to the government, which would take all efforts to protect dignity of all citizens.
After hearing the government’s view, the bench of Chief Justice R S Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi asked it to place details of steps taken by the authorities in this regard on an affidavit by next week.
Petitioner advocate Koshti has demanded that the government be directed to survey damages incurred by migrant workers and compensate them for the injuries caused to them. He has also sought direction to provide prompt action for protection of migrant workers and to provide food and medicines to the affected workers.
The petitioner submitted that there are more than one crore people from other states who have settled in Gujarat. The country must sustain, exalt and celebrate the feeling of solidarity and harmony so that the spirit of oneness is entrenched in the collective character. Without such harmony and understanding, we may unwittingly pave the path for disaster.