On way back from Maharashtra, migrant woman from M.P. delivers on road: NHRC notices to the Governments of the two states over reports of hardships to the migrants during the lockdown (14.05.2020)

14th May, 2020, New Delhi

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a pregnant migrant woman, who was walking on foot from Maharashtra to Madhya Pradesh, has delivered her baby on road. She rested for 2 hours after the delivery and then continued walking for the remaining 150 kilometres. The pregnant woman and her husband had reportedly started their journey from Nashik in Maharashtra and were walking towards their home in Satna in Madhya Pradesh.

The Commission has observed that this incident amounts to sheer negligence of the state authorities resulting in violation of human rights of the victim woman. Rights to life and dignity of the poor woman have been grossly violated. It is also indignity to the motherhood.

Accordingly, it has issued a notices to the Chief Secretaries of the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter, within four weeks including the health status of the woman and her child and also if any relief and rehabilitation has been provided by the state authorities to the aggrieved family.

The Commission would like to know about the measures being taken by both the states to ensure that the migrant labourers are not subjected to harassment and hardships during the lockdown.​ The Commission would like to know as to what actions have been initiated against the erring public servants by the state authorities for their apathy & culpable negligence for not implementing the government orders and various measures mentioned in interstate Migrant Workmen Act, during lockdown period.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news reports, which are replete, almost daily, with hardships being faced by the public during countrywide lockdown. There are news that the migrant workers are still forced to walk thousands of kilometres to reach their homes. It is disheartening to know the plight of the migrant labourers, particularly women, children, old age people and the pregnant women falling prey to states' apathy. A pregnant woman, who needs rest, medical checkup and special care, is not only forced to walk hundreds of kilometres but also to deliver her baby during her painful journey.

According to the media reports, on 12.05.2020, the woman experienced labour pains during the journey and the delivery took place en route. The husband of the woman has , reportedly, stated that after his wife delivered the baby, they rested for two hours and then again resumed walking as they had to cover at least another 150 kilometres to reach home. It is further mentioned that at Dhule, in Maharashtra clothes and essentials were given to them by a family for the newborn baby.

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