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Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 2 (EMN): About 1501 stranded citizens of Nagaland set off their much-awaited journey for home at 8:30 pm from Bangalore Cantonment Railway Station in Karnataka on Tuesday.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Mughato Kiba, convenor of Naga Task Force Bengaluru (NTFB) for Covid-19, informed that the screening process conducted at the Tennis Pavilion Palace Road in Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, took about six hours.
The passengers completed boarding the special train at 7.40 pm before the train moved out of the railway station in Bengaluru at 8:30 pm.
"I take this platform to thank all the frontliners, Naga Task Force Bengaluru and Ao Kaketshir Telongjem Bangalore for the immense support and dedication that have been shown to us," Imsumenla Jamir, one of the returnees said.
"The long-awaited day has come finally! I feel excited yet scared at the same time, for it is risky to travel; pray that our good Lord will guide us throughout the journey," she added.
"Finally, the sun rose for us, to go back home. I hope we will be safe from here till there (Nagaland) without spreading any disease of the so called, Covid 19," said Tolibo Achumi, another passenger.
"After months, finally we're on our move," said an excited Kekhutonu Zhotso onboard the train.
Scores of volunteers from Naga Students' Union Bangalore (NSUB), Eastern Naga Students' Union Bangalore (ENSUB) and Naga Christian Fellowship Bangalore turned up to see off the stranded people, it was informed.
"Sad that many had to go back since they all came here to earn. But happy that at least they will be with their dear and near ones," said Zakietuo Noudi, member of NTFB.
He also informed that the Bengaluru city police were happy about the way the volunteers from the three organisations had executed things on the day for the crowd.