A village in Punjab’s Kharar sub-district, Jandpur, has implemented strict regulations on the movement and behavior of migrant workers. Home to around 2,000 residents, including 500 migrants, the village has placed multiple signboards outlining 11 rules specifically for migrant workers, including a curfew that restricts their movement after 9 pm and a ban on consuming gutka-paan (chewing tobacco and betel leaf) in public.
These rules were established following a meeting of the village’s Municipal Councillors. However, the new regulations have reportedly led to some migrants leaving the village.
Among the listed rules, police verification of migrants is mandatory, and the use of cigarettes, tobacco, and paan in public is prohibited to prevent spitting on the roads. The village’s civic body also restricts more than two people from staying in a single room and mandates that house owners provide dustbins for their migrant tenants. Additionally, the rules stipulate that migrants must not roam around in improper attire and hold house owners accountable if any migrant is involved in illegal activities or harms villagers.
The enforcement of these rules drew the attention of local authorities, prompting intervention from the Kharar police and senior administrative officers. They questioned the village’s civic body about the imposed restrictions and urged them to amend the rules.
In response, the area councillor stated that the signage would be updated to apply the same rules to everyone, following discussions with the police and administration.
Kharar DSP Karan Sandhu confirmed that the police are closely monitoring the situation to ensure peace in the village.
This incident follows a similar case last month in Mohali’s Kurali village, where a resolution was passed barring migrants from residing in the village.
