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Reacting to the death of 16 migrant labourers while they were sleeping on rail track by a goods train near Aurangabad, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed grief and announced a financial aid of Rs 5 lakh each to their families.
It is reported by news agency that the migrant workers were walking along the rail tracks to reach Bhusawal from Jalna, 40 km from Karmad, on way to their villages in Madhya Pradesh. They slept off on the tracks due to exhaustion and the goods train ran over them.
Thackeray said he was in constant touch with the Centre over the issue of running more trains to ferry migrant labourers, stranded due to the coronavirus-enforced lockdown, to their native places. “Arrangements will be made soon. Labourers should not lose patience,” he said.
In his reaction to the incident NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar said the issue of migrants walking back to their native places must be looked into seriously and all necessary steps be taken for their safe journeys.
‘News of migrants losing their lives in the Aurangabad railway accident is heart-wrenching. Issue of migrants walking on foot to go back to their hometowns must be looked into seriously and all necessary steps must be taken for their safe travel,’ Pawar tweeted.
News of migrants losing their lives in the Aurangabad railway accident is heart wrenching. Issue of migrants walking on foot to go back to their hometowns must be looked into seriously and all necessary steps must be taken for their safe travel.
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) May 8, 2020
In another tweet, Pawar wrote, Central Government must work closely in unison with the state governments to ensure that these migrants reach their homes safely. My Condolences to families of the deceased, may their souls rest in peace.
Supriya Sule, Baramati NCP MP too expressed her grief over the tragic incident
Deeply Saddened to hear to about the demise of 14 Migrant workers in Aurangabad early this morning in a Train Accident. My Heartfelt Condolences ?
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) May 8, 2020
