Gujarat migrant labour exodus: Rahul blames closed factories, joblessness for violence 

As migrant labour continue fleeing Gujarat in the face of a violent campaign, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said targeting of migrant workers in the state is "completely wrong" and he is totally against it.

Taking to Twitter, he said the root cause of violence in Gujarat is the closure of factories and unemployment there due to which both the system and the economy are reeling.

"There is nothing more frightening than poverty. The root cause of the violence in Gujarat is the closed down factories and unemployment there. Both the system and that economy are reeling.

"Making migrant labour their target is completely wrong. I stand totally against it," he said in Hindi on Twitter.

Attacks on Hindi-speaking migrants started after alleged rape of a 14-month-old girl. The violence has led to exodus of migrant workers which prompted the state government on Monday to make an appeal for their return.

The state government has deployed additional security forces in industrial areas in Gujarat for the safety of migrants.

Police have filed 35 complaints and detained around 450 persons for attacking the migrant community residing in Gujarat, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said on Monday.

After the rape of a toddler, there were widespread attacks on migrant labourer residents, especially from north India, believing that some from the community were responsible for the ghastly crime.

"We have registered 35 FIRs for the violence on the north Indian migrants in the state. We have detained 450 persons and further interrogations are on," said Jadeja.

"We have apprised the central government regarding the steps we have taken to stabilize the situation," Jadeja told reporters.

"Elements rejected by the Gujarat public can go to any lengths to achieve their political aspirations. The Gujarat Police is also trying to find who is behind this outrage," he added.

"I appeal to people not to be misled by those who are inciting people for their political gains," Jadeja said.

(With agency inputs)