GUWAHATI, March 29 - Shortage of money to buy food items forced nearly 300 daily wagers of the city to come out on to the streets amid lockdown on Sunday.
The daily wagers of the Bishnupur area of the city under the Bharalumukh police station gathered at 10 am and started demanding food items for their families.
Daily wage labourers are the worst hit due to the lockdown as it has robbed them of their only means of livelihood. Those working at garages, construction sites, hotels, eateries, not to speak of the rickshaw pullers and handcart pullers, are finding it extremely difficult to make their ends meet.
However, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced a relief package focusing primarily on migrant labourers and daily wage labourers. But, there are countless daily wage earners who do not have bank accounts.
City police rushed to the spot to tackle the situation. ADCP West Suprotiv Lal Baruah said they have been provided food items at the doorsteps. The Assam Police with the help of various organisations provided free food to the stranded people in the city, he said.
