India: Migrant workers clash with police in Surat (Gujarat state) May 9

Event

Clashes broke out in Surat (Gujarat state) at approximately 08:00 (local time) on Saturday, May 9. Over 500 migrant workers gathered to demand authorities send them back to their home states amid an ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown. The protestors threw stones at police, who were urging them to disperse due to the lockdown measures. Officers responded to the projectiles by firing tear gas at the crowd. Around 50 workers were arrested during the unrest.

Further clashes are possible in Surat and other parts of Gujarat state in the near term.

Context

Previous unrest amongst migrant workers has been witnessed in Gujarat state amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Protesters clashed with paramilitary forces on Friday, May 8, in Ahmedabad (Gujarat state), and on Monday, May 4, clashes with security forces occurred in Valeri on the outskirts of Surat as around a thousand migrant workers gathered to demand to return home. Those protesting are mostly workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and other states who are employed in Gujarat's large-scale industries, such as the textile and diamond industry. Surat itself has around one million migrant workers. With many businesses closed under the restrictions in place, only a small proportion of workers have been able to return to their home states.

Advice

Individuals in Surat are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities, and anticipate a heightened security presence and transportation disruption in the vicinity of any future protests.