Pass confusion causes Gurugram border protests

GURUGRAM : The pass system for the Gurugram-Delhi travel and its accompanying set of regulations once again drew questions on Wednesday as a violent protest erupted in a border village, leaving six policemen injured. Nearly 1,000 people living in Salapur Khera had come out to protest against the border curbs, but the demonstration turned violent when a group began throwing stones at police.
While the exasperated villagers said they should be let in because they are carrying official movement passes and cannot afford to lose the day’s wages any longer, police claimed they were following government orders and could not let them in. Some of the protesters alleged cops at the border enforced the rule arbitrary, and that some of them had entered Gurugram using the same pass on earlier occasions.
“They stop some of workers and let some go. I stopped going to work around two days back due to daily harassment by the police,” said Komal, who lives in Kapashera and works in Udyog Vihar.
This confusion over movement passes continues in Gurugram because of the shifting rules protocols have left many confused. Passes have been issued in three batches, each with its own rules – first, for essential services movement within Gurugram , then inter-state e-passes after the government gave an undertaking in the Delhi high court that it would facilitate cross-border movement of workers involved in essential services, and third, passes for industrial workers that factory owners can now apply for.
Additional chief secretary and Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority chief VS Kundu clarified there are only two kinds of inter-state passes are being issued currently — one for essential workers with permission for multiple entry and exit, and the other a one-time permit for anyone else who works in the city and lives outside it. Those with the latter can enter the city once but have to stay back. They are not allowed to travel between Gurugram and Delhi.
As a result, there are many who have inter-state passes but are confused about the fine print. Some still have the intra-city passes, which were issued as permits to travel within the city during the lockdown and are currently invalid, but continue to produce those at the border. “The passes workers are producing aren’t valid anymore. They need to apply afresh for passes for cross-border movement. However, unless they are engaged in essential services, the pass will not allow multiple entries and exits. Once they cross the border, they will have to stay on the premises itself,” said Kundu.
This, however, is not conducive for industries. “While the government has allowed industries to function with 100% strength, it is not feasible because many workers come from Delhi. The government wants us to them up in the premises, but hardly any industrial units have the space to make that arrangement,” said Praveen Yadav of Gurugram Udyog Association. Thus, though the government has tried to fire up the industries with a slew of relaxations, effectively, the revival continues to be slow because of the border restrictions, he added.
Asked about allegations of workers that the imposition of the rule at the borders is arbitrary, a policeman posted at the border admitted that with multiple directions and rules coming in, there is some confusion, even among cops. “The information trickles down slowly, and sometimes, by the time it reaches those implementing the orders, the rules have changed again,” said the policeman, who requested not to be named.