Stop bringing unverified labourers from outside: FREINDS

IMPHAL, May 4: The Federation of Regional Indigenous Society (FREINDS) has rounded up 17 laborers, ten of them below 15 years of age and none of them possessing identification cards, after being apprehended by VDF personnel near the traffic island at Nongmeibung near Ananda Higher Secondary School today.

Addressing media persons at its office today, Pebam Premkumar, Secretary Organisation FREINDS said the laborers, all Bangladeshi and Bengali speaking Muslims were brought in Manipur by one Abdul Latif Sheikh (25) S/o Abdush Samar Sheikh of Naliya Village, Dhubri District Assam. They were apprehended while heading towards JNIMS to work in the construction site there.

The labourers were working under RK Rameshor of RK Industries, Malom who is the contractor of the construction. "Bringing of unverified labourers from outside state taking the opportunity that they are cheaper should be stopped," Premkumar added.

He then appealed to the contractors and construction companies to check the identification documents and certificates issued by particular police stations of the state stating that the labourers  are not involved in crime.