Migrant worker from Kerala found living in kennel converted into rented room

KOCHI: It’s a dog’s life there. A migrant worker from Piravom, Ernakulam, seems to have taken the phrase too literally. He was found to be living in a dog kennel converted into a private home for nearly three months!

In a state with one of the lowest rates of homelessness in the country, Shyam Sundar from Murshidabad in West Bengal lived in a tiny room measuring 7 feet by 4 feet for a monthly rent of Rs 500. The situation came to light when the police and locals, who were informed, visited him. The room contained a gas stove, a bed and some chairs. The mesh front door was covered with cardboard to protect it from rain and cold.

Faced with the outrage of the residents, the police and the municipal authorities opened an investigation, which was later dropped after the worker refused to file a complaint. According to the authorities, the worker chose to live there by choice and had no complaints to make. “He moved there after staying in several other places because he could not afford it,” said an official.

“He (Shyam) has been living in Piravom for about five years and has lived in different places in the city during this time. He recently moved into the room of a man named Joy,” a local said. “It was a kennel that was converted into a room… He said he was comfortable in those conditions,” he added.

According to municipal councillor P Gireesh Kumar, “Till the reports came out, neither I nor any Asha worker had noticed his condition. The room was either locked or empty during our inspections.” He added that Shyam has now moved to another accommodation with other migrant workers. Kumar criticised the house owner’s decision to rent a kennel as a shelter. “The medical examination revealed that Shyam was perfectly healthy. The police cannot file a case if there is no complaint,” said an officer from Piravom police station. Shyam said he stayed there as it was close to his work, the officer added.

“He chose not to live in the designated camps. He took his own risks,” said KP Salim, vice-chairman of the Piravom municipality. The camps are run by municipal officials and NGOs, who conduct regular checks and maintenance activities, including cleaning before the monsoon, he added.