10,000 Assamese migrants stranded in Mizoram amid lockdown: Police
A senior police officer on Monday (March 30) revealed that more than 10,000 migrant workers, mostly from Assam, are stranded in Mizoram due to the 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the spread of novel coronavirus.
A senior police officer on Monday (March 30) revealed that more than 10,000 migrant workers, mostly from Assam, are stranded in Mizoram due to the 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the spread of novel coronavirus.
Mizoram Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) John Neihlaia told PTI that most of the migrant workers are employed in industries and unorganised sectors.
Home Minister Lalchamliana said, “The state government will provide food and shelter to the stranded migrant workers as per the Centre’s directive,” while instructing “all district-level task forces on COVID-19 to monitor relief measures for them in their respective areas.”
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Expenses for relief measures would be borne from the state exchequer, which would be later recovered from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), the home minister said.
Lalchamliana said the Union Home Ministry authorises states to use their respective SDRF for providing relief to migrant workers, adding that around 940 migrant workers have reported to the state government so far.
The Union Home Ministry had written to the states asking them to set up relief camps for migrant workers, they said.
(With inputs from agencies)