Kochi: 150 migrant workers in custody after ‘attack on police’

The incident took place at the labour camp of Kitex garments located in the Kizhakkambalam area on Saturday night.

“Around 150 migrant workers were taken into custody and lodged in various stations. The assailants would be identified from among them. Two cases have been registered,” Ernakulam rural Superintendent of Police K Karthik said.

A special police team was constituted to probe the incident in which five policemen were attacked, one police vehicle was set ablaze and three other vehicles were vandalized, he added.

Kitex Group managing director, Sabu M Jacob said they would cooperate with the police probe.

“The labour camp has 1,200 migrant workers. The workers from Nagaland and Manipur conducted Christmas carol on Saturday night… As it was late at night, another section of workers questioned the event, leading to a clash among the workers,’’ he said.

He said the security at the camp could not control the situation as the workers targeted them as well and that’s why later police was called in. However, the workers attacked the police as well, Jacob said.

“Around 50 persons seem to have been involved in the clash. They might have gone on a rampage under the influence of drugs. This is the first such incident at the labour camp,’’ he said.

Labour minister V Sivankutty said apart from the police, the labour department would also probe into the incident. “What we realize is that workers have rioted in connection with Christmas celebrations. The district labour officer has begun the probe. It is a stray incident and things are under control,’’ he said.