PATNA: The state government has expressed serious concern over frequent militant attacks on Bihari migrants in Manipur.
On Friday, chief minister Nitish Kumar called up his Manipur counterpart, Okram Ibobi Singh, to seek adequate protection for Bihari migrants in the north-eastern state. This comes in the wake of Tuesday's attack on a Bihari migrant named Prabhu Prasad.
Nitish also held a meeting with senior officials to review the situation in Manipur. To instil confidence in Bihari migrants, he decided to send a team of senior civil and police officials to Manipur. These officials will discuss with their Manipur counterparts ways and means to improve security for Bihari workers.
Nitish asked chief secretary RJM Pillai and DGP D N Gautam to make arrangements for the safe return of migrants who want to return home.
On the other hand, deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, who got SOSs from some migrant labourers, also asked Pillai and principal secretary (labour resources) Vyas Ji to get in touch with the Manipur chief secretary. He told Vyas Ji to identify the Bihari migrants who have faced physical attacks. After verification, these victims will get assistance under a scheme meant for Bihari migrant workers.
Earlier, Vijay Kumar Gupta, a worker from Begusarai, had faxed a message to Modi describing how extremist outfits have been attacking Bihari labourers since March 2007. Another worker, Bihari Lallan Rai, complained that people involved in such attacks have gone unpunished.