COVID-19: Tripura govt forms groups to look after stranded persons

Agartala: In a bid to help those stranded in different parts of the country following the announcement of 21-day-long national lockdown as a precautionary measure against the spread of Coronavirus aka COVID-19, Tripura government has formed a working group. Their objective is to solve problems faced by them.

The official order intimating formation of this group was issued by the chief secretary, Manoj Kumar, on March 27. The working group for stranded persons while addressing issues faced by people from Tripura stranded outside will also look after the welfare of people of other states stranded in Tripura.

The group will get in touch with other governments as well as ‘State Bhawans’ to resolve the problems of such stranded people.

The three-member group is headed by, L H Darlong, principal secretary for transport; Apurba Roy, secretary P&C and R Gopal Rao, DIGP (crime) police headquarter.

Speaking with EastMojo, L H Darlong said that around 115 residents of Tripura are stranded in different parts of the country like Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Guwahati in Assam, Vellore in Tamil Nadu.

“Everyone has different issues like some of them are stranded on the way to Tripura. Some of them had gone for work purpose now they are facing issues like shortage of food. However, everybody has a place to stay,” Darlong said.

He also said that around 26 persons are stranded in different parts of Assam.

“In Guwahati alone there are 11 people who have been accommodated in Tripura Bhawan. In the region bordering Assam and Arunachal Pradesh 14 labourers from are stranded. They have been given accommodation by the Indian Railways. Some have been put up in a school. The tribal department has transferred funds needed for them,” Darlong added.

He also said that the government is facing a very peculiar situation right now, as many of them are desperate to return home even though they are safe in their respective places.

Talking about outsiders stranded in Tripura, Darlong said that about 1,400 labours from West Bengal working in a private company in Tripura. They have also approached the government with a request to return home.

Also Read: COVID-19: 2,251 in quarantine, no positive cases in Tripura so far

“We have asked them to stay here for now. They already have the company barracks and food is also being provided to them. If the lockdown extends then we might think on sending them back home,” Darlong added.

The state government is in talks with other states to make essential commodities available to people stranded outside.

“Foreign nationals who were stranded in Tripura following the closure of the integrated check post have also being sent back to their country after approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Darlong added.

The authorities are also providing food to the homeless across the state and on the first day, cooked food was served to over 600 homeless people. However, the authorities have been instructed to identify more people in need within the state.

A seven-member group consisting of civil and police officials has been formed to review the supply position of essential commodities, medicines, and medical equipment on a regular basis.

The chief minister has also formed a group for monitoring and management of corona pandemic in Tripura by appointing ministers and senior leaders in all eight districts of the state.

The law minister has been given the responsibility of West district, revenue minister NC Debbarma to Sepahijala, deputy chief minister Jishnu Dev Varma to Gomati, transport minister Pranajit Singha Roy to South, forest minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia to Khowai, Sports minister to Dhalai, social welfare minister Santana Chakma to Unakoti and deputy Speaker to North district.