Desperate migrant workers protest in Andhra Pradesh, demand passage to home

Hundreds of migrant workers belonging to several states on Wednesday staged a protest in front of the Tehsildar's office in Jammalamadugu in Andhra Pradesh demanding that arrangements be made for them to return to home towns.

Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh):As many as 150 migrant workers staged a protest outside Tehsildar's office demanding to be sent back home in Jammalamadugu in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district on Wednesday.

According to sources, the labourers from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Karnataka have migrated to Kadapa district for work. After the nation-wide lockdown was implemented on March 25, these workers got stranded here.

"We are starving as we have no work. We used to work in dal mills, textile shops, and ice companies. Now, with everything closed, there is no way for us to earn and survive here," rued a worker.

"At around 8 am today, around 100-150 people gathered, demanding they be sent back to their respective states. The district administration has registered their names and other details, and will send them home as soon as possible," a Revenue official said.

"The labourers complained that their landlords were demanding rent even as they are not in a position to pay. The factory owners have given them salary till April and now they are on their own. They are requesting officials to be dispatched as soon as possible to their native places," the official added.

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