By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, March 23, 2022: A Catholic nun working among migrants on March 23 joined President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grieve over the death of 11 workers in Secunderabad, Telangana.
At least 11 migrant workers from Bihar were charred to death after a massive fire broke out earlier in the day in a timer warehouse at Bhoiguda, a crowded area of Secunderabad.
“The death of workers in a fire accident at a godown in Secunderabad, Telangana is a tragedy beyond words. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery for the injured,” the president tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi expressed pain at the loss of lives due to the tragic fire. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” he tweeted and announced 200,000 rupees each as compensation for the families of the victims.
Sister Sujata Jena, who has worked among migrant laborers since 2020, said the incident has shocked and saddened her.
The victims “are vulnerable in every circumstance,” she told Matters India. She recalled that hundred of migrants had fallen prey to road accidents and death since pandemic.
She regretted that the migrant laborers continue to face job loss, debt, lack of social protection and separation from families. “This leads to involuntary, unforeseen and critical migration,” she added.
She stressed the need for “a broad, progressive and prosperous policy for migrant workers” in view of the migration problem’s complexity and challenge.
“The destination of migrant workers with proper coordination and understanding with the state government, the protection of interstate migrant workers, and especially the provision of proper living conditions, health care, food, to be ensured,” said Sister Jena, who is based in the Odisha capital of Bhubaneswar.
This policy needs to be tailored to the relationship between migrant workers’ destination and the workplace, she asserts.
In Secunderabad, the police said the fire erupted out at around 3 am in the two-story building.
At least 15 workers were sleeping at the site at the time of accident. While two escaped to safety, 13 were stuck inside. Rescue officials have retrieved 11 bodies and shifted them to Gandhi Hospital morgue for autopsy.
A police officer told reporters that the men were sleeping in two rooms on the first floor. The police suspect that the men were trapped and inhaled smoke, before being burnt to death.
The administration used nine fire tenders to douse the fire. Officials suspect short-circuit as the reason for the fire accident. After dousing the flames, the firefighters have extensively searched the premises to trace workers feared trapped in the fire.
The officials told reporters that they have ordered a probe.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has announced 500,000 rupees each for the families and directed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to make arrangements for the repatriation of the victims’ bodies.
As the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, the administration would conduct DNA test to identify them before handing their bodies to the families.
As the news of the fire spread, Hyderabad Collector L Sharman and Commissioner of Police C V Anand rushed to the spot. Sharman later visited Gandhi Hospital.
Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav visited the site and interacted with the locals. Talking to reporters, Yadav said an enquiry has been ordered into the incident. He promised government assistance to the families.