Hit by lockdown, migrant labourers walked for days to reach UP

In the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the nationwide lockdown, three migrant workers from UP working in Gujarat's Vadodara have walked back to their native places in the absence of transport facility.

Muradnagar (UP): Hit by the extended nationwide lockdown and no transport, three migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh are walking for days to reach their homes at Muradnagar from Gujarat's Vadodara, about 1000 km away.

The workers had chosen this clandestine and dangerous mode of travel as they were desperate to return home. Left penniless with the sudden closure of their factories, the workers said they had no option but to trek home on foot.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, worker, Jamaluddin said, "We have decided to walk to our villages because if we stay there we will die of hunger. We used to work in a tandoori roti factory in Vadodara, but after being trapped in the lockdown, our factory owner started harassing us."

"While walking on the way, some villagers also helped us by giving food to us. The police had also shown humanity and offered us fruits to eat. We narrated our story to the police officials and after checking us, police officials arranged vehicles and sent us to our destinations with the help of vehicles going on the way. It was seven days of struggle to get back home," Jamaluddin said.

The family members said that they have informed the police after Jamaluddin and his friends' arrival. After the screening test of the trio, they were allowed to live in their houses.