Some find way out, arrange ambulance to reach home

Ludhiana, March 31

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Migrant labourers working in factories, brick-kilns, houses etc, are trying their best to go back to their native places even as the government is making efforts to convince them to stay back. Many of them are finding new ways to go back, by telling lies to the authorities or going against the system/guidelines.

Pintu, who works in a factory in Industrial Area A, said it was not possible for migrants to stay back here as their families were getting panicky and everybody wanted to be together in such times.

“One of my fellow workers arranged for an ambulance from the Janakpuri area and some persons were taken into confidence. Five or six persons were able to reach their village in UP and they were stopped just once by the police at a naka in Haryana. Together, they paid Rs 9,500. We are also trying to arrange some vehicle like this,” he said, adding many “middle-men” were taking back migrants to their respective villages.

Another migrant said even today, long queues of migrants were seen outside the railway station, which meant that they were still going back to their villages.

Sargun, another migrant working at a brick-kiln, said the kiln is shut and he did not have any work.

“I don’t have a single penny. Even if I have to go on foot to my village in Hardoi district (Uttar Pardesh), I will do so. I am convincing a few other labourers of the same village to accompany me. I feel suffocated here,” he said in a choked voice.

3 held for ferrying people from Gujarat

Abohar: The police in Hanumangarh arrested three drivers for ferrying 72 Punjabis from Gujarat without permission during the lockdown. Hanumangarh police station incharge Nand Ram Bhadoo said three trucks were intercepted on a highway. It surfaced that 72 persons had boarded the vehicles in Gujarat to unite with their families in Punjab. All of them were working in industrial units in Gujarat and could not board trains or buses due to the nationwide lockdown. OC