Thread: Punjabis want end to migrant menace - Implement regulations & screen current migrants

Scared of migrants, Dal Khalsa to launch statewide stir
Tribune News Service

- Dal Khalsa activists protest against the influx of migrants in the state, in Ludhiana on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Ludhiana, November 1
The Dal Khalsa has resolved to launch a statewide agitation against the influx of migrants in Punjab. The party announced this here today. Hundreds of activists took to the streets here today to protest against what they termed as a ‘population bomb.’ The protesters urged the government to evolve a migration policy.

Displaying placards and banners the demonstrators tried to alarm migrants living in the interior of the city.

Dal Khalsa working president Harcharanjit Singh Dhami said the influx of migrant labour has had serious socio-economic-cultural ramifications on the society. Initially, cheap labour might have been a privilege, but now it had become a headache.

“We have waited for long for the influx to end, but the migration graph has spiralled out of control. Now the people are getting impatient to tackle the menace,” he stressed.

Asked as to what measures the Dal would suggest to the government, he said the government must promulgate an Act fixing the upper limit of the percentage of jobs for non-Punjabis in all enterprises in the state, whether in the private or public sector. It should further enact another law to bar outsiders from purchasing immovable property in the state. Steps should be taken to regulate and monitor the influx of labourers. There must be registration offices for migrants at all bus stands and railway stations. Similarly, the health department must introduce quarantine measures. Slum areas should be cleared, he added.

He said nobody could deny that migration of labourers reflected the demand for manpower. “However, no state in the country permits unchecked influx of migrants. It is imperative to legislate no-settlement laws applicable to migrants. No schemes should ever be promoted to settle migrants in Punjab and Chandigarh. Let the Central Government settle them in their home towns,” he added.

“We have been accused of exaggerating the situation. It is being said that if Sikhs go to other countries for better opportunities, why deny migrants the same right,” he said. Stressing that parallels could not be drawn between both situations, he said all such questions would be answered in our white paper.

Another leader, Mr Kanwarpal Singh, said more than 22 lakh migrants were working in the state while 15 lakh Punjabis were unemployed. The influx was managed by certain forces that aimed to reduce the Sikhs to a minority in their own state. The sudden rise of Hindi newspapers was an indicator to the trend.

Shinder Pal Singh, organising secretary of the outfit, and Sarbjit Singh Ghuman, said migrants were earning Rs 3,000 crore per annum and remitting two-thirds to their native places. A recent study by PAU revealed that more than 78 per cent labourers had expressed their desire to settle in the state and this figure was just 11 per cent of that in 1983-84.

Dr Daljit Singh said another disturbing trend was the use of tobacco among the rural folks, especially youngsters. “Sikh youth have taken to smoking and chewing tobacco after it made its entry with the arrival of migrants. Instead of adopting our culture, the migrants have polluted ours,” he added.

Migrants draining Punjab's economy

"No state can afford to permit unchecked influx of migrants"



Punjab, a homeland for Sikhs has a large number of unwelcome guests in the shape of migrant labour since last decade. The continue increase in their numbers has caused a major concern amongst all those who stood for prosperous and secure Punjab.

Dal Khalsa launched a statewide movement to spread awareness amongst masses against their dependency on UP & Bihari Bayahias. Activists of the organization described them as 'population bomb' and resolved to infuse new vigor in the ranks and files of the people of the state for an agitation against the influx of migrants in Punjab.

In the first ever-public protest against the influx of migrants in Punjab, Dal Khalsa today asked the Punjab government to build rules and evolve its immigration policies to curb the menace. The organization chooses the occasion of 38th anniversary of Punjab Day to air its resentment against the migrants.

Hundreds of its activist displaying placards and banners marched in the interior of the city of Ludhiana that have maximum number of migrants, to convey that the (population) bomb was ticking and that the migrants were 'unwelcome guest' in the state.

The 'charges' leveled against migrant labour ranges from changing demographic complexion to polluting culture. The activists shouted slogans urging the government to ban further entries of migrants. Reading between the lines one could easily make out that the problem as a potential to create unrest in the state.

Pledging to take the issue to its logical conclusion, the Dal Khalsa unfolded its future programmes including publishing of white paper on the issue, approaching the state chief minister Captain Amrinder Singh to apprise him of the explosive situation and suggest measures, holding small conventions in remote areas for educating masses against its ramifications and if need arises moving to the court for addressing the problem.

The team of the Dal Khalsa led by its working president met the concerned officer in the office of Deputy Commissioner and apprise him of the volatile situation. The memorandum addressed to the chief minister highlighting the concern was submitted to the official.

In his address, Harcharanjit Singh Dhami, leader of the group argued that the issue has had a serious socio-economic-cultural ramification on our society. Initially, it may be a privilege but now it has become a headache.

When media persons asked him as what measures his group suggest to the Punjab government for addressing the problem, Mr Dhami said the government must promulgate an Act, which fixes the upper limit of the percentage of jobs for non-Punjabis Residents in all enterprises in the state whether private or public sector. It should enact a law to bar outsiders from purchasing immovable properties. Steps should be taken to regulate and monitor the influx of the labours. There must be registration offices for migrants at all bus stands and railway stations. Similarly, health department must introduce quarantine measures. Slum areas should be razed, he opined.

He said chief minister Capt Amrinder Singh should read what was written on the wall: "Nobody can deny that migration of labour is a natural phenomenon reflecting demand for manpower. However, no state permits unchecked influx of migrants. It is imperative to legislate no-settlement laws applicable to migrants. No schemes should ever be promoted to settle migrants in Punjab. Let the Central government settle them in their home towns".

When media men reminded Mr Dhami that if Sikhs could go to other countries for better lives, why deny migrants the same right, he replied that parallels could not be drawn in both the cases. However, he said answers to all these puzzling questions would be published in our white paper very shortly.

Admitting that laziness has crept in within Sikh masses and that they had started shirking from hard work, he said we have to reverse the situation and this was a Herculean task before us.

Another senior leader of the Dal Khalsa Mr Kanwar Pal Singh claimed that the continuous entry of migrant labour would tend to disturb the demographic complexion of the state, which in due course could become a serious threat to Sikh identity.

He said if the entry of migrants would remain continue in the same pace, the time would not be far when they (migrants) would hold the key to balance the state's political power.

According to rough estimates, he claim, the number of migrants was one tenth of the total population of the state. About 13 lack migrants are presently working in the state while app. 15 lacs Punjabi's were unemployed.

The influx of migrant labour was being 'managed' by 'unseen' central forces that were all set to reduce the Sikhs to minority in Punjab itself. The sudden entry of Hindi newspapers in a short span of time has a blessing of these forces. To a question, he said Punjab unit of the BJP have been supporting the cause of migrants to establish their vote-bank.

Touching the other aspects of the 'problem', Shinder Pal Singh, organizing secretary said the influx of migrants has provided an opportunity to criminal elements to penetrate into the rural areas of the state under the garb of skilled workers. Since all successive governments have bitterly failed in monitoring and regulating the entries and identities of the migrants, it became easy for them to return to their native lands after committing heinous crimes.

Sarbjit Singh Ghuman while speaking said nearly one tenth of the total population of the state is migrant labour. In a startling revelation he said the migrants were earning app. 3000 crores per annum and out of it they were remitting back two-third of their earnings to their native places.

Tracing the origin of current migration to the days of green revolution, he said it has increased many times in the post-militancy period as compared to 1983-84. More than 22 lac migrants have got settled in various parts of the state but they have consolidated themselves mostly in industrial towns as compared to other cities.

He cited the study conducted by Professors of PAU according to which around 55 percent of the agricultural labours had expressed their willingness to settle here permanently, where as this figure was about 11 percent in 1983-84. More recently, the percentage has gone to 78 who are in a mood to settle here permanently. The days were not far when we would have Bihar origin MLA's, he summed up.

Listing the social evils migrants brought along with them, Dr Daljit Singh, another party secretary said tobacco, commonly found with migrants of Bihar and UP have reached to the countryside of the state. Sikh youth had taken to chewing of tobacco and numbers of addicts are in large numbers. Contrary to our youth who had fled to West in search of green pastures, these migrants has not adopted Punjab's culture. Rather they were polluting our culture, he observed.

Blaming the administrations for turning blind eye to encroachments and slums constructed on illegal lands, Birinder Pal Singh Saholi, district president of the radical group, said the crime rate has increased manifold. Incidents of thefts, hooliganism and murders have been largely reported in the media. In most of the cases, migrant labourers were involved.

We have a grudge against the previous as well as present Punjab government for not taking the problem with a serious view, said Dr Manjinder Singh, another senior leader.

Prominent amongst those who took part in the procession were Sawinder Singh Kot Khalsa, Balraj Singh, Subedar Baldev Singh, Dr Arpal Singh, Surinder Singh Talabpur, Sukhvinder Singh Dugri, Jagjit Singh Moga, Harmohinder Singh & Ranbir Singh Hoshiarpur, Lakhvir Singh, Parbjot Singh and Gurdeep Singh.

http://www.dalkhalsa.com/activities/dkav1016.html

Memorandum to the Chief Minister of Punjab:

Build rules, Return Migrants & Save Punjab



The issue of migrant labour has reached an alarming position and it is time for all of us to look into the problem and explore means to curb the menace. We feel the influx of migrant labour has had serious socio-economic-cultural ramifications on our society.

We apprehend that the continuous entry of migrant labour would tend to disturb the demographic complexion of the state. According to a preliminary study by the Punjab Agricultural University (Ludhiana), nearly one tenth of the total population of the state is migrant labour. Another survey says that the migrants are earning app. 3000 crores per annum and out of it they were remitting back two-third of their earnings to their native places.

The influx of migrants has provided an opportunity to criminal elements to penetrate into the rural areas of the state under the garb of skilled workers. Since all successive governments have bitterly failed in monitoring and regulating the entries and identities of the migrants, it became easy for them to return to their native lands after committing heinous crimes.

We appreciate the real work you did in terminating all past agreements on state's river water and bringing to book the likes of Ravi Sidhu, Dr Sareen, Jagdish Tangri and Ajit Singh Phoola. Presently, the interests of the state are being undermined by the influx of migrants. You must constitute a team of experts to undertake a deeper study to assess the real implications of the problem. The state must realize its responsibility before its too late.

We seek:

· The state government should promulgate an Act, which fixes the upper limit of the percentage of jobs for non-Punjabi residents in all enterprises in the state whether private or public sector. Under no circumstances should this exceed twenty percent.

· Himachal, J&K, Rajasthan have barred outsiders from purchasing immovable properties in their states. The same legislation in Punjab should be enacted.

· State must regulate and monitor the influx of the labours. At all bus stands and railway stations there must be Registration offices for migrants.

· Similarly, health department must introduce quarantine measures.

· Illegal jhugees (slum areas) should not be allowed to come up.

We know you are bold enough. Opportunity has once again knocked your doors. Hope this time again you will prove that you are a chief minister with a difference: who could prefer state’s interest to political gains.

Regards.

Harcharanjit Singh Dhami
(Working President)
Dated: 1st Nov, 2004

http://www.dalkhalsa.com/activities/dkav1017.html

Migrant influx

The march by the Dal Khalsa on Monday against the unchecked influx of migrant labourers into Panjab has once again underlined the socio-economic problem created by the ever-increasing presence of migrant labour. Observers feel that the crime rate of Panjab has gone up for the simple reason that criminals from other states come to Punjab after committing heinous crimes in their home state and mingle with the large migrant force. After spending time here, they commit some crime here before going back. In addition to the spurt in crime, the migrants are also bringing along some infectious diseases like tuberculosis to the state. They live in dirty slums close to posh localities and pose a threat to the general health of the residents.

Though these migrants have caused massive unemployment for the local labour, industrialists feel that the city will not have achieved such prosperity without the cheap labour provided by these migrants. So they are apprehensive of any mass movement that might force these migrants to go back to their respective states, in which case they will have to hire local labour at higher salaries and perks.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041110/ldh1.htm#8

Some excellent recommendations made in the letter below published last year on the Chandigarh Tribune:

Influx of inter-state migrants

APROPOS of the report “Ludhiana leads in slum concentration” (July 22), there is no way the influx of inter-state migrants into cities could be checked unless strict regulatory measures are adopted and the politicians are kept at bay. Some of the suggested measures to tackle the problem are:

(a) Regulate the entry of inter-state migrants strictly on the basis of job availability, as everyone seems to be running to Punjab in search of a goldmine. When the same is not found, they take to crime.

(b) An undertaking from the employer should be a pre-requisite for entry into the state.

© The right to vote should be in their respective states of domicile. This will check vote bank politics which is the main reason for mushrooming of slums. All Akali groups harped on this issue when not in power but they did nothing when they were in power.

(d) There should be no rehabilitation of slums by allotting alternative sites to the slum-dwellers. As far as possible, the employer should be responsible for providing accommodation to its employees.

(e) Several states have laws prohibiting non-domiciles to own property in their states, mainly to ward off Punjabis. Why can't Punjab have such a legislation to discourage the temptation of settling down for good?

(f) The existing migrant population should be screened and those not properly employed should be shown the door.

(g) Strict anti-encroachment security measures should be adopted to check the onset of slum/ unauthorised dwellings.

The second type of influx into cities i.e, people shifting from smaller urban centres/villages, could only be stopped by improving the infrastructure facilities so that all the facilities of large urban centres are available to them either at their doorsteps or are within easy reach.

Lt-Col BHAGWANT SINGH (retd), SAS Nagar

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030808/mailbag.htm

By this logic all Sikhs should also be kicked out from Europe and USA and sent back to Punjab . You guys really have a warped sense of justice - every thing for you and nothing for others. If you are intolerant to others then why should others be considerate to you. Why ask the French to change their laws for you (about wearing turbans in school)? India is a free country, all citizens have the freedom to travel anywhere within India freely and can work and reside at a place of their choice.
Those who protest against migrants risk similar protests against punjabis else where. (Then I guess guys like you will get enough articles to show how Sikhs are being discriminated against).

Originally Posted by lemontree

By this logic all Sikhs should also be kicked out from Europe and USA and sent back to Punjab . You guys really have a warped sense of justice - every thing for you and nothing for others. If you are intolerant to others then why should others be considerate to you. Why ask the French to change their laws for you (about wearing turbans in school)? India is a free country, all citizens have the freedom to travel anywhere within India freely and can work and reside at a place of their choice.
Those who protest against migrants risk similar protests against punjabis else where. (Then I guess guys like you will get enough articles to show how Sikhs are being discriminated against).

well franlky there are more protests in US against Workers moving to US than say protests here in punjab.
Another notable difference is that india is a secular country and frankly even if Punjab govt on day brings in any law it will be considered against the constitution of india which allows free movement of people to any part of the country ( kashmir is and exception mentioned) and thsu will be considered as invalid. Frankly these are just a small chunk of people asking for some laws that they knwo cant be made jsut to impress the followers.

About france though i think the problem is quite different and its unwise to compare it to This topic Frankly the french have taken away the religious freedom of people.Well the point is can they dare to ban christmas.. but surely they can ban turbans since that is the stuff of minorities. They are killing the fundamental rights of minorities.

Ensure work for Punjab labour, Mann asks CM
Tribune News Service
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041121/punjab1.htm#6

Sangrur, November 20
Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), today asked the Punjab Government to enact a law for ensuring 100 per cent employment to Punjabi labourers in the industry and agriculture sectors of the state.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Mann said the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, should table a Bill in the Punjab Assembly, ensuring 100 per cent employment in the industry and agriculture sectors for Punjabi labourers. He said no migrant labourer should be employed in the industrial and agriculture sectors in the state till the adjustment of all Punjabi labourers in both these sectors.

Mr Mann suggested that identification and documentation of the migrant labour should be done because in the garb of labourers, many criminals had also descended on the land of Punjab. He said no migrant labourer should be given employment in the state without police verification. He said the state government should make these suggestions a part of the Bill, as sought by him, while working out the modalities of the Bill.

Mr Mann asked the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan not to talk about the cause of Kashmiris alone and also raise issues of Sikhs with the Indian Government. He said the Pakistan Prime Minister, who is visiting India, should talk about Sikh genocide in the country as he felt there was no MP of Sikhs in Parliament who could raise the issues.

Mr Mann told mediapersons that the SAD(A) had constituted a committee to probe the circumstances in which the wife of Sherpur MLA Gobind Singh Kanjhla died a few months ago.

what does he mena by no MP of sikhs in parliament. I bet there is an equal representaion of punjab in parliament (boththe houses ) and we ahve a sikh PM . Does he mean no representaiton fo sikhs inparliament or no representation of his devotees in parliament. LOL...
and yes if some stupid political party asks for somethin it dsnt mean that its the voice of the people. Frankly BJP has been asking for Temple for years. does that make this demand of theirs valid.. LOL...

I reckon that the MPs from Punjab are not Punjabis but Americans! Nowadays, they like to copy US styles and also the accent.!

As I had said earlier, the Punjabis and Sikhs are very progreesive and now rather affluent and hence they employ Bihari labour!

Therefore, Simmy Mann, uncle of Jonathan Mann of the CNN, is emitting noise from the wrong side.

Why should someone do hard work when all he is got to do is trown some cash and many will do his bidding?

Mr Mann asked the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan not to talk about the cause of Kashmiris alone and also raise issues of Sikhs with the Indian Government. He said the Pakistan Prime Minister, who is visiting India, should talk about Sikh genocide in the country as he felt there was no MP of Sikhs in Parliament who could raise the issues.

Ah, now i see it And who is he going to complaint against then Pakistani govt for killing the Sikhs in west Punjab during partition?? Pakistan itself has no moral rights per se to talk about Kashmiris, coz Kashmiris have their own mouths, i guess they dont need a mouth piece. Now I think Mann is trying to gain political mileage and to consolidate his votes for the next assembly elections by crapping out.

these politicians are all **** . Inka bas chale to apni maa ko bhi bech khayein... koi deen imaan nahin hota in logon ka..

It is high time these worthless Hindu laws are removed from Punjab!
__________________________________________________ ____________

Dal Khalsa wants cow slaughter ban to be lifted
Tribune News Service
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041128/punjab1.htm#4

Chandigarh, November 27
The Dal Khalsa wants ban on cow slaughter to be lifted in Punjab "strictly for financial reasons". In fact, the organisation is in favour of setting up cow slaughter houses in the state.

The Dal members also want enactment of laws "to check the flow and settlement of migrants in the state".

The opening of Wagah border for trade purposes is also included in their list of demands, along with intervention of NGOs and social groups in the proposed police Bill.

Addressing a press conference, the Dal members asserted that the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) was a "statutory body" and recognition from the SGPC was not required.

Giving details of their demands, the members said lifting ban on cow slaughter would go a long way in the uplift of farmers, struggling to repay loans. It would also check suicides among farmers.

They added that the farmers already had the infrastructure and could keep cows without spending additional money.

"It would fetch good rates. As of now, the farmers were abandoning their cattle at lonely places", they said.

"Moreover, stray cattle was resulting in road accidents".

Clarifying that their intention was not to hurt the religious sentiments of any community, the Dal's general secretary Kanwarpal Singh said the move would boost beef export, besides promoting leather and pharmaceutical industry in the region.

He added that already in nine states there was no ban on cow slaughter, while in two other states it was partially imposed.

He asserted that the opening of the Wagah border for trade purposes would not only encourage trade, but result in increasing cultural co-operation between the countries.

Elaborating upon his contention, he said at present the trade was being carried out via Mumbai and Gujarat ports. Opening of the Wagah border would help Punjab farmer to sell his produce in Iran, Iraq and Arab countries.

Regarding the inflow of migrants, he said the number of outsiders holding jobs was increasingly significantly, while Punjabis were being forced to leave the state for jobs in other countries.

Otherwise also, over 2 million migrants had settled down in the state "threatening" the demographic structure in the process, they claimed.

Khalasa Sheree,

Can we have yur opinion?

Or are you that stupid that you post your non majority Khala threads?

I am sure you would have an opinion.

Inspite of what you post, I sure God gave you magz. Hopefully.

Though magz curry is a great favourite of the 'dhabas'.

Hopefully none ate yours, or else he would become stupid!

Originally Posted by Sher-e-Punjab

It is high time these worthless Hindu laws are removed from Punjab!
__________________________________________________ ____________

Dal Khalsa wants cow slaughter ban to be lifted
Tribune News Service
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041128/punjab1.htm#4

Chandigarh, November 27
The Dal Khalsa wants ban on cow slaughter to be lifted in Punjab "strictly for financial reasons". In fact, the organisation is in favour of setting up cow slaughter houses in the state.

The Dal members also want enactment of laws "to check the flow and settlement of migrants in the state".

The opening of Wagah border for trade purposes is also included in their list of demands, along with intervention of NGOs and social groups in the proposed police Bill.

Addressing a press conference, the Dal members asserted that the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) was a "statutory body" and recognition from the SGPC was not required.

Giving details of their demands, the members said lifting ban on cow slaughter would go a long way in the uplift of farmers, struggling to repay loans. It would also check suicides among farmers.

They added that the farmers already had the infrastructure and could keep cows without spending additional money.

"It would fetch good rates. As of now, the farmers were abandoning their cattle at lonely places", they said.

"Moreover, stray cattle was resulting in road accidents".

Clarifying that their intention was not to hurt the religious sentiments of any community, the Dal's general secretary Kanwarpal Singh said the move would boost beef export, besides promoting leather and pharmaceutical industry in the region.

He added that already in nine states there was no ban on cow slaughter, while in two other states it was partially imposed.

He asserted that the opening of the Wagah border for trade purposes would not only encourage trade, but result in increasing cultural co-operation between the countries.

Elaborating upon his contention, he said at present the trade was being carried out via Mumbai and Gujarat ports. Opening of the Wagah border would help Punjab farmer to sell his produce in Iran, Iraq and Arab countries.

Regarding the inflow of migrants, he said the number of outsiders holding jobs was increasingly significantly, while Punjabis were being forced to leave the state for jobs in other countries.

Otherwise also, over 2 million migrants had settled down in the state "threatening" the demographic structure in the process, they claimed.

How much support does dal khalsa has??