Chennai Police prevented a group of migrant workers from Assam working in Tamil Nadu from boarding an Assam-bound Shramik Special train as they did not have Aadhaar.
Even though Aadhaar is no mandatory for migrants to travel back home, however, it is not known as to why Chennai Police stopped this group of five Assamese labourers from boarding the train.
These labourers were working at a restaurant near Ambattur OT bus stand and successfully registered in Assam portal on May 7.
However, they were asked to produce Aasdhaar when they went to T2 police station in Ambattur Estate for verification.
The labourers informed that they have not been paid by the restaurant owner since March and it was getting difficult for them to stay in Tamil Nadu without money.
“The issue was brought to my knowledge a week ago and I immediately spoke to Tamil Nadu police,” reported The Indian Express quoting Harmeet Singh, Assam Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) and nodal officer for bringing people back from other states.
“Majority of people in Assam do not have Aadhaar due to NRC. Also, the Central government did not make Aadhaar mandatory for migrants to return home,” the news report added
“They can show any proof of identity or even the document showing their inclusion in NRC list,” Singh was further quoted by The Indian Express.
Reportedly, thousands of migrants from the northeast are facing similar problems in Chennai.