Cong seeks probe into migrants gathering at Bandra station; sees political conspiracy

Alleging a political conspiracy to impose President's rule in Maharashtra, the Congress on Wednesday demanded a thorough probe into the gathering of migrants at Mumbai's Bandra Railway Station.

Maharashtra PWD Minister Ashok Chavan cited a South Central railway communication of April 13 about running special trains for migrants, saying it could have triggered the gathering at Bandra.

He said the incident is an attempt to disrupt communal harmony in the state and negate the state's efforts in fighting coronavirus.

Addressing a press conference through a video link, Chavan said the police is investigating the matter to ascertain who is behind the instigation of migrants, and the guilty will be brought to book.

Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Bandra Railway Station on Tuesday, after a large number of migrant workers gathered there forcing the police to resort to lathicharge to disperse them.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help the stranded migrant workers reach their native villages.

"For God's sake, Narendra Modi ji please help them," she said.

Migrant workers have been stranded at various places, including at state borders, ever since the nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 24 to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The Congress also asked the Centre to probe the alleged role of the railway ministry in the Bandra incident.

Chavan cited the April 13 letter by deputy chief commercial manager of South Central Railways in Secunderabad which stated that 'Jansadharan specials' will be started to clear stranded migrant workers.

Asked if he saw a conspiracy behind the Bandra gathering, the Maharashtra minister said, "The matter is being investigated. The chief minister has made a statement that this matter is going to be investigated."