Nanded pilgrims

The Punjab government, in its effort to take the credit for bringing back pilgrims stranded at Nanded, has goofed up the whole operation. Maharashtra is among the states worst affected by Covid-19. Why was a preliminary test for the virus not conducted on the pilgrims before bringing them back to the state? Why no arrangements were made to quarantine them at the border? It is confirmed that more than 150 pilgrims have tested positive. Who is responsible for playing with the lives of the law-abiding citizens?

Arun Hastir, Gurdaspur

No politics please

The Punjab government initiated the process to make arrangements for the return of stranded pilgrims. But in the rush to claim credit, some irregularities were committed. After seeing the alarming increase in Covid cases, there was unprecedented silence on the part of these credit seekers. We have seen the helplessness of developed countries in combating the disease. Keeping in view our limited resources and healthcare facilities, it is time that we fight this pandemic on humanitarian grounds.

Major Singh, Mohali

Domestic violence

Apropos of ‘Reaching out to women hit by lockdown’ (May 1), cases of domestic violence have increased. The main reason is the socio-economic and psychological stress that Covid has generated. In a family, a woman has come under many layers of stress. It is encouraging that the Punjab Police have established a mechanism to help a victim. NGOs, social activists, women panchayat members and sarpanches, media and other agencies must come forward to help. Shelter homes should be set up under police protection. Counselling should be a part of the scheme. Alcoholics and drug addicts in the family and outside should be properly dealt with and regular feedback sought.

Sudesh K Sharma, Kapurthala

Activate helplines

Refer to the increase in cases of domestic violence; state governments need to declare helplines as essential services that would remain open during the lockdown. Media can sensitise the public against gender-based violence and increase resourcing for NGOs that respond to domestic violence. We need to go into the root cause of the problem. Our education system needs to be reformed, and must include the truth of domestic violence in the syllabus. We need to teach our future generation respect for women.

JP Lodha, Mahendragarh

Political servility

Apropos of ‘Relief for Uddhav, Maha poll on 9 seats’ (May 2), though the May 21 election will clear the impending fear of political uncertainty in the state, the action of both the Governor and the Election Commission, only after Uddhav Thackeray phoned PM Modi over procrastination in the matter, shows how far and deep the political obsequiousness of the upholders of constitutionality has gone. The Governors and the EC should shun vested interests and do their job.

Sylvia Malik, Jind

Migrant workforce

Reference to the editorial ‘Return of the migrant’; states like Punjab, which are dependent on migrant labour, have been hit hard. Punjab’s own youth have either mostly migrated abroad or are not involved in vocations such as farming. The Centre should do everything to help Punjab, which is the food bowl of the country. Also, crop diversification will need a rethought after the manner in which the wheat-rice stocks have proved to be useful in dealing with the crisis. Policies will need a rejig to take into account emergencies.

Brij Bhushan Goyal, Ludhiana

Ensure safe return

Thousands of migrant labourers are desperately waiting to return to their native villages. The government should devise an effective strategy for their safe return. Only asymptomatic persons should be allowed to travel with adequate transportation facilities. They must be examined before entering the state and quarantined at home or institutions for 14 days, besides following the mandatory safety protocols. The government should strive to address their hardships, otherwise there would be chaos all around resulting in social tension.

Neha Jindal, Bathinda

Flypast unnecessary

Refer to ‘Flypast to honour Covid warriors’; while preparedness for the Gulf evacuation is understandable, the flypast to honour Covid warriors amounts to an absolute waste of time. Instead, the need of the hour is to provide hospitals with good quality testing kits and PPEs in large numbers, which are lacking in most of the health institutions.

Vikramjit Singh, Amritsar

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