THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Violent criminals who have infiltrated among the 30 lakh foreign workers working in Kerala have threatened the peaceful life of the country.
Amirul Islam, a native of Assam, who killed Jisha, a law student in Perumbavoor in April 2016, has been sentenced to death. From 2016 to 2022, there were 118 murder cases involving 159 foreign workers.
A security man was beheaded in Kottayam, an elderly woman was killed in Kannur, and a 15-year-old girl was kidnapped in Thodupuzha. There are hundreds of cases of drug trafficking.
Contractors do not require workers to register their details with the police or local authorities. The proposal to keep a register containing the information of foreign workers in the police stations was not implemented. Heinous criminals are arriving in the state with fake identity cards pretending to be workers.
People from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar also arrive under false pretenses. Bangladeshis are brought in by arranging fake Aadhaar, PAN card and bank documents in the name of Bengalis.
Before Covid, there were 30 lakh foreigners. It is unclear exactly how many there are now. The Labor Department tried to calculate but was unsuccessful. There are expats in every sector like building construction, hotels, mining, brick making, plywood factories, commercial complexes, thatch shops, hair-cutting, etc. Most of them don't even know their real name and address.
It is estimated that the number of foreign workers will be 45 lakhs in 2025 and 59 lakhs in 2030. The Planning Board also estimates that within 10 years, one-sixth of the state's population will be foreigners.
Heinous crimes
An Assam resident killed a security guard, Jose, by hitting his head for stopping a theft in a rubber factory.
Housewife Manorama of Kesavadasapuram was killed, and her body was thrown into a well.
A native of Assam killed a fellow foreign worker after a drunken argument at a bar in Aroor.
A migrant worker was beaten to death by his friend in Pathanamthitta.
Two natives of Assam killed a woman during a robbery attempt in Malappuram.
An Assam native killed a 60-year-old woman in Puthanvelikara, Ernakulam.
A 14-year-old girl was gang-raped by four foreign laborers in Ernakulam.
Two workers used a gun to threaten a contractor for salary and rent in Kochi.
174 foreigners were arrested for attacking the police in Kitex, Kizhakkambalam.
A TTE who asked for a ticket at Thrissur railway station was brutally beaten.
Criminal cases: 3650 (Last five years)
2016: 639
2017: 744
2018: 805
2019: 978
2020: 484
750 crores:
Money they sent to houses from Kerala in a year
In various fields
Construction: 17.5 lakhs
Production: 4.5 Lakhs
Agriculture: 3.5 lakhs
Hotel: 2.5 lakhs