Patriotism helps keep order in camps

The Delhi Police are screening movies and coming up with various ways to ensure migrant workers across 100 shelter homes are busy and do not leave the city.

The efforts include showcasing movies that have a “patriotic feel or police dramas”.

On Sunday night, over six shelter homes in southeast Delhi were shown the national award winning film Uri, which is based on India’s surgical strikes against Pakistan. Nana Patekar’s police drama Tiranga was scheduled for Monday. Akshay Kumar’s Holiday and Hrithik Roshan’s Lakshya will also be shown. Both these films revolve around the Indian Army.

DCP of southeast Delhi, RP Meena, told ET that workers are under a lot of stress. “At this time, we thought of showing them movies which can make them feel motivated, proud of their country and connected with each other. All these movies have a strong message of national commitment.” He said magic shows by Rajkumar were also shown.

ACP of Lajpat Nagar, Atul Kumar Verma, who is the in-charge of four shelter homes said maintaining law and order in these camps is easier when migrant workers are busy. “These movies are helping them trust us more. Apart from essentials, they need recreation. We have also planned some origami workshops for children and women in these camps.”

Several states such as Kerala have been working towards keeping migrant workers in shelters engaged with games such as carrom and chess.

Delhi police officials said they have been on a high alert regarding any gathering of workers after thousands of them gathered in Anand Vihar bus station recently.

DCP of Dwarka, Anto Alphonse is in-charge of the L&T shelter home and other camps where 2,500 labourers are housed. Alphonse said workers made it clear that more than recreation they need phones during the lockdown. “We now recharge their phones and have tied up with a service provider for it. We have started three mobile recharge units and have kept four mobile phones to be used by anyone whose handset is not working. Mobile phones are their lifelines to keep in touch with their families.”

He said ATMs and digital facilities to send money to their homes are also helping. “Also, restaurants such as Barbeque Nation have been providing them food which they look forward to. It also helps when they get to cook their own food. We have started our own kitchens now. So, they are in a better state of mind.”