Migrant workers sense a window to return home

TNN | May 4, 2020, 04:12 IST

Mysuru: The fresh guidelines issued by the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) have offered the district administration across Karnataka an opportunity to facilitate the transport of migrant workers, tourists and pilgrims from and to their respective homes. Many Karnataka residents have approached authorities in those states they are stranded in seeking help to return home. Similarly, residents of other states too are growing impatient with their return home being deferred.
Wildlife activist HP Ashwin was among those who approached the cops in the Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu, seeking a pass to return home to Mysuru after the guidelines were issued. “I was stuck in Masanagudi just beyond Bandipur, and have been trying to get a pass to go back to Mysuru. I finally got the pass after the restrictions were relaxed on Friday, and I reached home,” Ashwin told STOI.
Meanwhile, Smith is keen to leave for Bengaluru, and return to his wife Priya, from whom he has been estranged for the past month-and-a-half.
Deputy commissioner Abhiram G Sankar confirmed to STOI that passes to migrant workers stranded across Mysuru district would be issued in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Assistant commissioner of the department of labour AC Thammanna said that nearly 3,000 migrant workers from various states were stranded across Mysuru district. “Many of the workers are not too keen on returning to their states. However, those who approach us seeking to return home will be subjected to a medical test for Covid-19 and influenza like illnesses (ILI) before we permit them to travel,” said Thammanna, adding that there were hundreds of labourers stranded in Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts as well.
Deputy commissioner of police (law and order) AN Prakash Gowda admitted to the rise in the number of applications seeking passes from migrants to return home. “We will make necessary arrangements to ensure inter-district and inter-state movement of migrants,” said Gowda.
Special train
The MHA circular issued on Friday indicates that the government will operate ‘Shramik Special’ trains to facilitate the return of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists and students back to their respective homes. The special trains will be operated point-to-point in accordance with the established SOPs at the request of the state governments involved. All passengers would be screened prior to the journey, said a release issued by the Union ministry of railways.