The lockdown being enforced to prevent the
spread of covid-19 has affected several communities hard, including the
migrant laborers, daily-wage earners, roadside vendors, and the nomads.
The nomadic, semi-nomadic communities are suffering due to lack of jobs.
One such nomadic community is camping on Janatha colony Road on the
outskirts of Pothnal. They earn their livelihood by begging, through the
traditional professions of performing folk arts like ‘Hagalu Vesha’
‘Burra Kathe’ through rag-picking, manufacturing brooms and baskets and
such others minor professions.
However lockdown has put an end to these activities as nobody is allowed
outside their homes due to the strict implementation of lockdown rules.
Hence, these nomadic people are confined to their tents. The majority of
them do not possess Aadhaar Cars, voter IDs, ration cards and are not
eligible for the distribution of food grains through the PDS. They do
not have access to minimum basic facilities and have to brave the
scorching sun and heavy rains. These people are really struggling for
their daily sustenance. Vimukti is demanding concerned government
authority to heed their call without delay.
