Over 70 farmers commit suicide every month in Marathwada region. (File photo)
Affected by severe drought in Marathwada, a group of around 200 people from various districts in the parched region has migrated to Mumbai and are working as daily wagers.
However, there are unconfirmed reports that some anti- social elements in the suburban Ghatkopar area, where these people have taken shelter, are harassing them by extracting money from them in exchange for water.
Local lawmaker Kirit Somaiya visited the site today and assured them of extending necessary support including food, water and shelter.
"We have provided them a big water tank, distributed necessary food, apart from conducting a medical camp for them. And, I am happy to inform you that by Sunday they will get a temporary shed of plastic on their head against heat," Mr Somaiya told Press Trust of India.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Vinay Rathod has taken a serious note of reports of extortion and asked local police to act tough against such elements, if any.
Sanjay, who migrated with his two brothers leaving behind his dry four-acre land in Nanded district, denied that they had to pay money for water.
"I never came across such incident of extorting money for water and shelter. I am doing fine and earning almost Rs 400 per day, but the only problem is that we do not get job daily," said Sanjay who works at a construction site.
Local residents, however, said nobody extorted money from the migrants.
"This is not true. Nothing of this sort happened. In fact, there is one Jadhav family which has opened its tap of water pipeline for these needy people," said Kiran Revandkar, a local resident.
He hailed municipal corporation and local police for providing support to the migrants.
Mr Revandkar said these migrants from Marathwada have been coming for the last four years.
"In fact, since last three to four years, these people, along with their families, are coming here as daily wage workers. The number has gone up this year as drought in their districts has taken a turn for worse," he said.