2000 migrant workers in Nagaland issued permit to go home

Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 20 (EMN): Exodus of migrant workers and daily wage labourers continues in Kohima as lockdown imposed by the government stands in force.

Despite relaxation being given on construction works and others, many migrants still remain apprehensive about the Covid-19 induced lockdown and many want to go home owing to agricultural activities at hand.

Kevingito Kulnu, extra assistant commissioner (EAC) Kohima, told media persons that over 2000 persons were screened and issued movement permit till Tuesday evening.

He informed that movement permit was issued by Kohima district administration to those who have arranged transportation on their own till Dimapur; those persons had also obtained inter-state movement permit from the state government.

It was informed that the migrant labourers were mostly from Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and some from neighbouring states.

A reliable source from the government overseeing the migration told Eastern Mirror that a special train is being arranged by the government of Nagaland for migrant workers from Bihar on May 23.

Among those leaving Kohima was Sumit Kumar, a class 3 student at East View School. Kumar, who stays with his uncle, a business man, was spotted waiting for his turn to be screened to go home.

He said that his parents back home want him to return, as he came to Kohima in January for studies. He expressed doubt if he would be coming back.

Hundreds of people were seen waiting for their turns to be screened on Wednesday.