18,000 Arunachalis to be brought back in batches: CM Khandu
Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday (May 2) revealed that about 18,000 people who are stranded outside the state since the lockdown was imposed will be brought back to their natives in a phase-wise manner.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday (May 2) revealed that about 18,000 people who are stranded outside the state since the lockdown was imposed will be brought back in a phased manner.
“The central government has said that those brought back should be home quarantined but we have only 18,000 people so we will not have any problem. We will keep them in the institutional quarantine for the first 14 days. After that, they will be quarantined at their homes for 14 days,” Khandu told Aaj Tak during their e-Agenda programme.
“Preparations are being made to bring them back. I have given the responsibility of bringing those stranded people back to the authorities. They are in touch with them and no one has any problem right now. (Union Minister for Sports) Kiren Rijiju is monitoring the people of Arunachal Pradesh struck in Delhi and so are other states,” he added.
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Even as the state has reported only one positive case of coronavirus, the government is continuously planning the post-lockdown strategy.
“A case of coronavirus had come up when a 31-year-old patient who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in New Delhi came back to the state but was immediately quarantined. Later, he became negative. In this way, there is no case of corona in Arunachal Pradesh. Nevertheless, there is continuous planning on how the lockdown will be opened,” he said.
While the tourism of the north-eastern state has taken a massive-hit due to the coronavirus outbreak, the chief minister feels that it is not yet time to allow tourists or outsiders into Arunachal Pradesh.
“Our state comes under the ambit of inner line permit. In such a situation, we have banned permits for tourists. The state borders with Assam and there are a total of 25 entry point check gates. Out of these, only 12 gates have been opened. The people of the state coming from there are screened. Police and medical teams have been deployed there,” he added.
