Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, October 18
Parghari village, 20 kms from the district headquarters of Banka and about 400 kms from here is witnessing sudden reverse migration from Kashmir valley following killings of migrant workers in the state in last one week.
Already, 32 of them have returned in panic and according to those who have come back, there was huge rush of Biharis waiting for Jammu bound buses at Tourist Reception Centre Bus stand, Srinagar railway station and Anantnag bus depot.
They told this correspondent over phone, “We were safe even during the peak militancy period. None of the Biharis had left the Valley, but now sudden targeted killings have sent apprehensions of attack on the remaining Bihari migrants. Our friends and relatives who have stayed there are standing in queue at the bus stand.”
Mahendra Prasad Sao said Bihari workers from his village had been staying in Vanpora in Kulgam for the last 30 years. Over 200 people from this village had gone to Vanpora 30 years back and they were sending money to nurse their families and educate their children. Their monthly earnings in the Valley were about Rs 25000 to Rs 30000. Sao said his children who are still in the Valley are making arrangements to return Bihar immediately.
Bhagirath Mandal of Jagdishpur in Bhagalpur district said he had talked to his children over mobile and they have informed already 500 people were waiting for trains at Jammu station for coming to Bihar. Pankaj Mahto, one of those waiting for train, said he feared attack on the Biharis, hence decided to return without delay. “I will never come to Kashmir,” he said and claimed even during the peak militancy when stone pelting was common, none of the Biharis was targeted.
Vanpora, where two Bihari labourers were gunned down on Sunday evening after they were pulled out of their houses is described as (Chhota Bihar) Mini Bihar as there are 500 migrant Biharis staying there. They were treated well even during the lock down period by the locals, they claimed. They have requested their employers to hand over their wages to facilitate their early return to Bihar. Demand of skilled Bihari workers in construction activities is heavy in the Valley as the they are considered more skilled than the locals.
Pankaj Paswan who is engaged in making and selling “Golgappas” at Pampore since 1997 is among those returning to Bihar. He said Kashmiris and tourists are fond of “Golgappas” and fried maize (Bhutta). In one family, there are over a dozen Biharis who came to the Valley and started working as road side vendors in ice-cream too. Now, they are scared and not willing to stay in the Valley.
Over 550 non locals were shifted to security camps in Kupwara on Monday morning as serial killings continued.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said, “Situation in Kashmir warrants immediate action. We should be alert; mischief is going on. Everyone has right to stay and do business in any part of the Country, but Biharis are being killed selectively. They should be careful.” Labour Minister Jibesh Mishra said state government would arrange jobs for those returning. Industries department has been requested to rehabilitate those coming back.
Body of Arwind Kumar Sah who was killed at Eidgah in Srinagar was cremated at his village in Banka on Monday morning. Local MP, MLA from Banka and district magistrate were present at the cremation ground.
Jammu and Kashmir government had sent their bodies by plane from Srinagar. From Patna airport, state government arranged hearse to transport the body to Banka.
