Worker injured in Kulgam attack dies; L-G pushes for SoPs to protect migrant labourers

The recent killing of a migrant worker in Kulgam district of Jammu & Kashmir has once again brought into sharp focus the persistent security challenges facing non-local labourers in the Valley, despite the Centre's repeated assertions of restored normalcy following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The victim, a resident of Bihar, was critically injured in a militant attack on October 26, 2024, and succumbed to his injuries days later, triggering a strong administrative and political response. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha promptly directed security agencies to undertake a "comprehensive review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)" for the protection of migrant workers, acknowledging systemic gaps in the existing security framework. Simultaneously, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary — a key figure in the newly elected Omar Abdullah-led government sworn in on October 16, 2024 — publicly questioned the Centre's "peace narrative" and demanded a high-level probe, signalling potential friction between the Union Territory administration and the elected government on security accountability. This incident is not isolated. Since 2019, over 30 non-local labourers and employees — primarily from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal — have been targeted in selective killings by militant outfits such as The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba. These attacks aim to disrupt economic integration, instil fear, and undermine the demographic and developmental narrative promoted by New Delhi. The victims are often engaged in construction, agriculture, horticulture, and informal sectors — vital to Kashmir's economy, especially during harvest and infrastructure seasons. Their exodus during peak threat periods causes labour shortages, inflates wages, and stalls projects under schemes like PMAY-G, MGNREGA, and the Jal Jeevan Mission. Constitutionally, the protection of life and personal liberty under Article 21 extends to all persons within Indian territory, including migrant workers. The Union Territory of J&K, governed under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, places law and order under the Lieutenant Governor's domain (Section 53), while the elected government handles transferred subjects. This dual control often leads to coordination gaps. Moreover, the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, and the more recent Code on Social Security, 2020, mandate welfare protections — yet implementation remains weak in conflict zones. Economically, migrant workers contribute significantly to J&K's GDP, particularly in apple harvesting (worth ₹8,000+ crore annually) and construction. Their insecurity threatens the "development dividend" promised post-2019. Politically, the Deputy CM's critique reflects the elected government's assertion of accountability — a test of Centre-State (UT) relations under the new legislative assembly. The demand for a high-level probe may invoke debates over the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1990, and the need for human rights-compliant counter-insurgency. Looking ahead, the SOP review must address real-time intelligence sharing, secure transit corridors, verified employer registration, and emergency response protocols. Integration with the e-Shram portal and portable social security benefits could enhance protection. For aspirants, this case exemplifies the intersection of internal security (GS-III), governance (GS-II), federalism, labour rights, and the human cost of conflict — making it a high-yield topic for UPSC, State PSCs, and defence exams.