After Kejri, L-G appeals to migrants not to flee Delhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 20

Expressing concern over migrant workers leaving the city following the imposition of a six-day lockdown to curb the rise in Covid cases, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal today deputed Principal Secretary (home) and Special Commissioner of Police to handle the situation.

After announcing the lockdown yesterday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had appealed to the migrants not to leave the city. He had assured the migrants of all possible help and insisted that the lockdown would not be extended.

Refusing to heed Kejriwal’s appeal, thousands of workers had reached the ISBT and railway stations in Delhi to board buses to return home.

At an emergency meeting with Kejriwal and the Chief Secretary, Baijal asked the administration to initiate steps to prevent a reverse migration. The L-G also took to Twitter asking the workers to stay back. “I appeal to all migrant labourers not to leave Delhi in panic… I assure you that amid the pandemic, the government will take care of all your needs,” Baijal tweeted.

Baijal said the migrant workers ran Delhi through their labour and the city belonged to them.

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal too appealed to the workers not to panic. He said trains would continue to run as usual and no restrictions would be imposed on travel.