New Delhi, Sep 18 (TIWN) Observing that caste discrimination continues to exist in society and criticising the deaths of people while involved in cleaning places like manholes and drains, the Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Centre and state governments for not providing protective gear to such workers.

 In a recent ground report from Kashmir, Al Jazeera narrates the stories of workers who have been left stranded and others who can’t find any work and live in fear. They say there was no prior notice given to poor migrant workers. Though there have been no recorded instances of violence against workers by locals, many migrants were asked why they have not left. 

There is fear and paranoia on both sides as the locals suspect that these workers might be the first to settle in the Valley as special provisions prohibiting outsiders from buying land in the state have been read down.   This report in Hindustan Times further details the problems that migrant workers who are returning to their states are facing. CNBC TV18 claims that at least 80% of the semi-skilled and skilled workers working in different parts of Kashmir are non-locals. The report further explains how stopping of developmental work, construction and slow business following restrictions that were imposed in the state has forced non-local labourers to flee.