Exodus unabated, states told to seal borders

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 29

Mass exodus of migrant labourers continued unabated on the fifth day of the 21-day nationwide lockdown, even as the Centre directed the states to ensure 14-day compulsory quarantine at government facilities for all those arriving in their respective territories.

Workers from Greater Noida, Delhi and Gurugram have been leaving their workplaces in hordes to reach Kaushambi and Lal Kuan Bus depots in Ghaziabad battling hunger and tiredness in the hope that the buses deployed by the UP Government would earn them a passage.

Most of them were seen walking through the lanes and bylanes of Greater Noida (West) to reach the two bus depots in the hope to get transportation to travel to their native places as far as Gorakhpur, Deoria and districts of Bihar.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials said detailed instructions on the exodus had been shared with state governments. “Those who have violated the lockdown and travelled during the period of lockdown will be subjected to minimum 14-day quarantine at government facilities,” reads the directive sent to states. The Centre has also asked the states to take measures to curb free movement of people across cities. In this regard, the officials said, the states have been told to ensure timely payment of wages to labourers at their places of work without any cut. “House rent should not be demanded from labourers for the lockdown period. Action should be taken against those asking labourers or students to vacate premises,” a senior MHA official said.

“Only the movement of goods be allowed and DMs and SPs made personally responsible for the implementation of these directions issued under the Disaster Management Act,” the order said.

“Adequate arrangements for food and shelter be made at the place of their work for the poor and needy, including migrant labourers. The Centre had yesterday issued orders for the use of SDRF funds for the purpose. Sufficient funds are available with states under this head,” the official said.

At the Lal Kuan terminal, scene appeared pathetic despite local administration trying its best to facilitate people. Police personnel deployed there were seen trying their best to control the situation, but chaos prevailed all over. Moved by the plight of the people, some good Samaritans were seen distributing bananas and water pouches to them.

Mandatory quarantine

All migrants moving to their native places in violation of the lockdown to be put in 14-day mandatory quarantine at government facilities once they reach their destinations

Food, shelter for poor

The chiefs of police and civil administrations of all states will make adequate arrangements for food and shelter for the poor and needy at the places of their work

Full pay, no eviction

States have been told to ensure timely payment of wages to labourers without any cut and take action against all those asking labourers or students to vacate premises