Cops begin to collect info on migrant labourers

The district police have finally begun to pool information about the labourers working in coffee plantations, hotels and under construction buildings. Upon collecting the information, different police teams will visit respective States in February to examine the truth behind the personal details and whereabouts given by the labourers.

The district police department has set in motion this exercise in the backdrop of the incidents of involvement of migrant labourers from other States in criminal cases, coming to light. The investigation of such crime cases faced hindrance due to the unavailability of documents, photographs and address of the accused. Suspicion over migrant workers from Bangla who have gained illegal entry to India, arriving at Kodagu and then involving in criminal cases too is said to be one of the reasons behind the police springing into action.

The police have already started the process of collecting information, photographs and documents like voter ID, ration card, bank account details from the migrant labourers from other States. The police officers have already directed the plantation, organisation, company and hotel owners to give the complete details of the migrant labourers working under them, before January.

Speaking to Deccan Herald Superintendent of Police N M Anucheth said that the collected documents will help to trace the labourers who are involved in crime. After collecting the documents, police will be sent to respective states to verify the documents, he said.

“A large number of labourers arrive at Kodagu from West Bengal and North West states. A migrant labour was found involved in a murder case in the district, two years ago. But we could not trace him due to unavailability of documents. We are collecting information as a precautionary measure,” he said.