NE NEWS SERVICE
BHUBANESWAR/CUTTACK/SURAT, MAY 7
The Odisha government on Thursday cancelled three trains which were to bring stranded people from Surat in Gujarat after the Orissa High Court suggested that the state ensure that only those tested negative for COVID-19 are allowed to return. Upon learning the Odisha government has revoked permission to three trains which were scheduled to leave from Surat on Friday, hundreds of Odisha labourers hit the roads. However, police prevailed over them.
Three trains were scheduled to bring over 3,000 people from Surat to Odisha on Friday.
“However, we have asked the district magistrate of Surat to cancel the three Odisha bound trains tomorrow,” a senior official said.
According to a health department official, 34 Surat returnees were found to be positive on Thursday.
So far 13 trains including 12 from Surat have brought people to Odisha and four others are on their way to the state.
Officials said at least 4,225 people, who were stranded in other states due to the ongoing nationwide lockdown, returned to Odisha on Thursday. So far, 39,765 people have returned to Odisha by train, bus or other vehicles.
Earlier, while adjudicating over a PIL, the Orissa High Court said, The state government should ensure that all the migrants who are in the queue to come to Odisha should be tested negative for COVID-19 before boarding the conveyance.”
A division bench comprising Justice Kumari Sanju Panda and Justice K R Mohapatra, however, has not specified whether the state government would ensure the corona status of the returnees through laboratory tests or thermal screening tests.
Social activist Narayan Chandra Jena had written a letter to the high court on May 1 seeking judicial intervention for ensuring that corona inflicted migrant workers are not allowed to enter the state by the government.
The letter was converted to a PIL on May 4 and the petitioner appeared in person to argue the case on Thursday.
The bench adjourned the matter till the next sitting of the bench.
Migrants hit roads in Surat
Defying lockdown norms, hundreds of migrant workers from Odisha on Thursday came on roads here upon learning the Odisha government has revoked permission to three trains which were scheduled to leave from Surat city of Gujarat on Friday.
Surat-based powerlooms and textile units employ thousands of people from the eastern state who are now stranded and out of job due to the coronavirus-enforced lockdown.
Before the situation escalated, police stepped in and persuaded the restless migrant workers, who numbered in hundreds, to disperse, said officials.
“They were anxious after learning that the Odisha government has cancelled permission given to the three trains coming from Surat carrying migrant workers (following a court order).
“We urged them to keep calm and made them aware about the court order. They peacefully returned to their homes,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police R P Barot.
Till now, as many as 18 Shramik Special trains, each carrying 1,200 migrants, have left for Odisha from Surat.
Surat collector Dhaval Patel told reporters that all the three trains scheduled for May 8 stand cancelled following an Odisha High Court order pronounced on Thursday.
“As per the order, only those testing negative for coronavirus will be allowed to board (Odisha-bound) trains. People can not go unless their report comes negative.
“Thus, the Odisha government has cancelled the three trains which were scheduled to depart from here on Friday,” said Patel.
He said the district administration has urged the Railway authorities to refund the ticket fare.
