Hundreds of migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are being forced to leave Gujarat for their own safety amidst protests over alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl last week. The survivor was raped by Ravindra Sahu, a migrant labourer from Bihar in Sabarkantha district. Even though the accused was later arrested, the incident triggered a spate of attacks on migrants across Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Patan, Sabarkantha & Mehsan.
Videos and pictures of locals threatening migrants went viral on social media. Violent protests were witnessed in several parts of the state. Police have arrested 180 people for the attacks on migrants. Meanwhile, Congress leader Alpesh Thakor has also come under the scanner for instigating the attacks on migrants He, however, denied the allegations and demanded the release of ‘innocents’.
“I appeal for peace to all those behind these incidents. There could be members from our community and Sena but no such instruction (to launch attacks) was given out from our side (Thakor Sena). This is to only defame us and the Sena. We are only aiming at peace and employment in the state,” he told The Indian Express.
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