Srinagar, May 01(KNB): Stranded in various parts of the country amid nationwide lockdown, as many as 17’700 people hailing from Jammu and Kashmir were facilitated and brought back to their districts with the help of administration.
More than 40,000 residents of Jammu and Kashmir, including 800 students stuck in different parts of the country due to the ongoing lockdown imposed in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, initially were provided 24X7 helpline centres established at J&K Resident Commissioner Office with an aim to address their issues and are now reaching home safely with the help of administration.
According to the reports, with over 6,000 stranded labourers and students of the Union Territory stuck outside the valley being brought back by Jammu and Kashmir administration in past few days, a total of over 17,700 people reached home.
Government’s spokesperson, Rohit Kansal took to twitter and wrote,”11000 already evacuated. SoP for organised and regulated evacuation issued. Nodal Officers designated. APPEAL: Everyone will be facilitated. Please be patient. If needed, contact helplines and Nodal officers.”
Moreover, the government had also arranged the safe return of 376 students stranded in Kota, Rajasthan due to lockdown through 15 buses which includes 186 from Jammu, 134 from Kashmir and 56 from Ladakh.
To regulate the movement of stranded labourers, students and others from outside the Union Territory (UT) Ministry of Home Affairs issued a fresh set of guidelines, “All states to designate nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving and sending such stranded persons. Stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, and students will be allowed to move with conditions during the lockdown.”
It further added, “Transportation of such individuals will be done via buses, as train or flight services are currently unavailable for passengers. The buses shall be sanitised and the authorities will follow protocols of social distancing while seating passengers in the vehicle.”
“On arrival of their destination such persons would be assessed by the local health authority and kept in home quarantine unless the assessment requires keeping the persons in institutional quarantine,” the MHA order said.
“We were stuck in Kota for the past one month, due to which our parents were concerned. Now we are happy that we are returning home and are thankful to Jammu and Kashmir administration.” A student said. (KNB)