Migrant construction workers in the process of plastering the wall of a under construction building in Niuland district area. (Morugn Photo)
Imti Longchar
Dimapur | October 3
Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland, and its sister districts of Chümoukedima and Niuland is a hotbed for infrastructure development, with numerous construction projects, both commercial and residential, sprouting in every nook and corner.
This rapid expansion has led to an increased demand for both skilled and un-skilled labour, making these districts an attractive destination for migrant workers seeking employment opportunities from across India.
But in the midst of the promising livelihood, many migrant workers have been facing a persistent challenge— harassment and extortion by miscreants coming in the name of the multiple Naga Political Groups (NPGs).
The modus operandi of these miscreants or members of the NPGs involves intimidation, threats and demand for thekedar (contractor/foreman), mistri (mason), jugali (unskilled worker) tax. Then, there is the demand for protection money and ‘charitable demands’ taking advantage of their ‘outsiders’ status.
T Prasad, who moved down to Dimapur from Kohima in 2021 after getting a construction project at Naga United Village, shared his first hand experience of how two persons came in an auto rickshaw to the construction site and demanded Rs 5000 as ‘underground tax.’
Prasad says the incident was deeply distressing. “For ten years, I have been engaged in numerous construction works in Kohima and never encountered such kind of harrowing experience,” he disclosed.
Before moving down from Kohima, Prasad knew this was coming, as he was already forewarned by his friends in Dimapur of the incidences of threats they have had to endure-even to extent of physical assault or their phones and cash being looted from their possession.
The harassment and extortion incidents are deeply traumatizing, yet these workers, being far away from their hometowns and residing in a strange place where they often lack a support network quietly suffer in silence. Also fearing retaliation, the migrant workers reluctantly comply with the demands of these miscreants, who exploit their vulnerable status. “We are here to earn our livelihood. So we have no option but take it in our stride,” Prasad states.
Another foreman Ahmed (name changed) based in and around Niuland and Chümoukedima says he has been paying a sum of Rs 17,000 annually to an organization called ‘Thikadars Association Dimapur’ which office is located in Burma Camp so that he gets some respite from the constant threat and intimidation from ‘motorcycle borne underground tax collectors’ who visit his construction site frequently or harass him over the phone.
It has been a frequent affair for Ahmed to deal with unidentified miscreants turning up at work sites, demanding ‘foreman and labour tax’ for the different NPGs. He has no idea whether they genuinely belong to the group they claim to represent.
The amount demanded ranges from Rs 3000-5000 as thekedar tax and Rs 250-300 for each of the labourers, which Ahmed has to pay not only to one but multiple NPGs.
According to Ahmed, the amount that he now pays to the Association is reportedly distributed as his tax payment to all the NPGs. What he has been instructed is to show the registration card he received from the Association when these people come calling. The Morung Express could not independently verify whether the ‘Thikadars Association Dimapur’ is a genuine registered organization or not.
“Nagaland offers us employment opportunities we couldn’t find back home. But the constant fear of harassment by the groups hangs over us like a dark cloud. We are hapless because we don’t want to lose our jobs or jeopardize our safety,” Ahmed maintains.
A youth org battle against extortion
The developing areas of Naga United Village, Aoyim, Old Showuba, which falls under Chümoukedima and Niuland districts, carries numerous traumatic stories of extortion, intimidation and harassments experienced by migrant workers engaged in construction.
As reports of extortion and harassment became rampant, leading to a climate of fear among the construction work force, around the year 2020, a local youth organization called the Foothill Ao Lanur Telongjem took on the role of watchdogs to thwart miscreants from extorting and harassing construction workers.
The youth organization stepped up to ensure the safety and welfare of the vulnerable laborers as well as the construction owners who were buckling under constant exploitation systematically carried out by miscreants visiting the countless construction sites, and demanding hefty amount as tax.
At the forefront in the war against the extortion menace, Tuden Jamir who was leading the youth organization recalls the time he received multiple death threats from certain individuals and groups because of their initiative.
“There were times when our volunteers had to guard construction sites for days and night to ensure safety of the construction workers from those preying upon them. There have been instances when migrant labours fled without completing their jobs out of fear,” Jamir reveals.
In the three years of the vigil against extortion, at least 47 extortionists hailing from different NPGs or just miscreants were apprehended by the youth organization— some of whom were handed over to police while some were let off after signing undertaking to stop their illegal activity, Jamir discloses.
“We decided to take action, because someone has to look after the wellbeing of the people victimised by the rampant extortion and threats,” Jamir points out on what spurred the youth organisation to stand up.
This is the second report of the five-part series highlighting the experiences and challenges faced by the construction industry in Nagaland as part of the Kohima Press Club & Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Media Fellowship 2023.
