Meltdown claims life of one diamond worker; two others caught for motorcycle theft

Jodh worked as a diamond polisher at a unit in Katargam and had been jobless for sometime. He had left his wife

Manisha and their two children at his native village, as it had become difficult for him to survive without a job in the city. He had even tried his hands at other jobs but failed. His house rent was due for four months.

In another incident, the Limbayat police accosted two motorcycle-borne youths during night patrol at the Madina Masjid area after they failed to give satisfactory answers when questioned. They were taken to the police station for further interrogation and confessed that the bike was stolen.

The two were identified as Kalpesh Kataria, a resident of Vivekanand Society in Puna Gam, and Lalji Ahir, a resident of Muktidham society in Varachha.

The police said the two have confessed to have

committed the theft of two motorcycles from the Poddar Arcade area in Varachha a couple of days ago.

They were on the way to sell the motorcycle when arrested, the police said. The duo worked as diamond polisher, but had been jobless for the last couple of months. They were staying in Surat with their families.

The global meltdown has hit the diamond industry hard, as unit owners have not yet re-opened their units even after the two-month long Diwali vacation.

Over six lakh people are involved in the industry in Surat. Till now, only 15 per cent of the small industries have opened their units and started production, even as lakhs of diamond polishers have lost their jobs.

Many of the diamond polishers have even gone back to their native places, while some of them have stayed back here for the education of their children.

On his part, Diamond Workers’ Association president Babu Jirawala said: “We have made representations to the Surat Diamond Association president and members to find some measures for the betterment of diamond polishers, as their condition is getting worse with each day.”

He added: “The majority of the diamond units are shut down and the owners also failed to give proper response when contacted.”

Surat Diamond Association secretary Prabhudas Patel said that in his career of 40 years he had never seen as bad situation as this.

Patel said: “The unit owners have kept sufficient stock in view of the upcoming Christmas vacation, as during this period, the demand is very high. But due to the global meltdown, the diamond exporters are not getting demands as a result of which, they have to keep their units closed,”

“We expect some more units to start production after December 15. We are also organising a meeting with the diamond polishers and the unit owners to find some way out of this,” he added.