Sir — Given that World Migratory Birds Day was just a few days ago, it was fitting to read that, according to the findings of the Wildlife Institute of India, Amur falcons — the long-distance migratory birds that are known to have one of the longest migration routes, covering around 22,000 kilometres — have started arriving here. Their appearance is a timely reminder of how conservation efforts can, with time and targeted interventions, bear fruit: while the Amur falcon used to be hunted in Nagaland, the state is now recognized as the falcon capital of the world. Are there lessons to be learnt from the Nagaland conservation model that could be applied to the protection of other fauna?

Mehvish Rashid

Dehradun

Walking dead

Sir — It was appalling to read that 16 migrant labourers who were trying to return to Madhya Pradesh on foot were killed when a goods train ran over them between the districts of Jalna and Aurangabad in Maharashtra (“16 crushed by train', May 9). They had reportedly sat down on the railway tracks to rest for a while, and ended up falling asleep out of exhaustion. Their deaths are the result of the neglect shown by the government towards migrant workers stranded on account of the lockdown.

The labourers were walking all the way back to their home state because they had no other choice or means to do so. Before the lockdown was enforced, the government should have had a proper plan in place to ensure that migrant workers were able to go back home from wherever they were. Indeed, it is the government’s job to consider the interests of the middle and working classes before taking any kind of decision affecting the nation.

The grisly and avoidable deaths of the 16 labourers should make us truly question whether the government cares at all about the ordinary people of the country. During this lockdown, migrant workers and their families have often not had access to rations, and most of those trying to get home have not even been tested for Covid-19. Why did the government not make arrangements for shelter and food for them? The death toll among migrant labourers started climbing a while ago; it will only increase with the government’s current unsympathetic attitude. We do not even know how many workers are still attempting to walk back home. Is anyone going to look out for them?

Abhijit Chakraborty

Howrah

Sir — The horrific deaths of 16 migrant workers who fell asleep on railway tracks out of sheer exhaustion on account of their arduous homeward journey reminds us about the plight of almost every labourer since the beginning of the lockdown announced by the Centre. The lockdown has rendered these labourers homeless and without access to food and other basic necessities. They are the worst-affected constituency as a result of the government’s poorly-planned move.

Migrant workers lead difficult lives anyway since they have to survive and provide for their family. The lockdown has worsened their suffering. Few seem to have any idea how long this period of turbulence will plague us. Those without shelter and nutritious food are more vulnerable to the disease as their immune system is bound to be compromised. For what purpose did the prime minister, Narendra Modi, institute the PM-Cares ‘relief fund’ if the immense contributions made to it are not being used to improve the labourers’ lot? The ruling government is far more concerned with taking care of the privileged classes in these trying times; the miseries of the labouring class mean very little to it. This is a terrible sign for any developing country or stable economy.

Iftekhar Ahmed

Calcutta

Sir — It was shocking that 16 migrant labourers were killed when a goods train ran over them. They simply wanted to go home. They had walked a distance of 36 kilometres with their baggage. They fell asleep on the tracks because they were so exhausted. There was no public transport available for them; if there was, they had clearly not been made aware of it. Why else would they decide to undertake such a daunting journey on foot? Their families must be devastated. The government must ensure the safety of migrant labourers who are away from their homes. Such a tragic event must not recur.

Mohd. Noor

Calcutta

Sir — In a rather belated move, the government has allowed migrant workers, students, tourists and pilgrims to return to their homes amid the growing coronavirus crisis in the country. Why had they not been allowed to go home at a time when the country had only a few hundred cases? Would that not have been better than to allow movement now, when the number of cases has crossed 40,000? Why was a nationwide lockdown imposed without giving stranded people enough time to go back to their hometowns or villages?

It seems as though our honourable prime minister is completely unaware of circumstances in which the people of his country live. The number of shocking incidents in which migrant workers are victims has grown exponentially of late. The death of 16 migrant workers who were crushed under the wheels of a train was particularly horrible. They must have been truly exhausted to fall asleep on rail tracks. If the lockdown had been properly planned, such horrifying incidents could have been avoided.

Ibne Giasuddin

Mumbai