Special train carrying stranded people reach Jiribam in Manipur

Our Correspondent

Imphal, May 13 (EMN): A special train carrying 1181 stranded people of the state arrived at Jiribam on Wednesday. The train began its journey from Chennai on May 10.

On their arrival at Jiribam Railway station at 12:20 pm, Chief Secretary, Dr. J Suresh Babu, Additional DGP (L/O) L Kailun, Secretary (water Resources), Jacintha Lazarus, Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam W Malemnganba Chenglei, Director (Transport), Mercina Panmei and other officials warmly welcomed the passengers.

All the returnees will be housed at institutional or community quarantine centres in their respective districts.

Speaking to media persons at Jiribam railway station, Chief Secretary Dr. Suresh Babu said that more than 1081 passengers have come from Chennai in the first train and we are happy to bring our people.

Passengers are going district by district, after completing the screening test we are sending passenger of Ukhrul district first. District administration Jiribam is arranging counter for screening, he added.

He further said that another train is coming from Punjab and it will take two days to reach Jiribam. After that another train will start from Bengaluru. We are trying to work one more train from Chennai and one more from Vadodara, we are trying our best.

Train movement depends on the state where the people are there and the government should also agree to co-operate with us and once both the governments agree to take out the people, then a lot of procedures to be followed. He also appealed to those who want to come to registered in the official website of the concerned states.

Foods and snacks were provided to the passengers by the district administration after thorough screening which was monitored by high ranking officials.

Volunteers from Indian Red Cross Society and Railway Protection Force look after maintaining social distance. Packed lunch were distributed by All Jiribam United Clubs Association.

The approximate number of returnees included, Ukhrul-126, Senapati -153, Bishnupur and amp; Chandel-39, Tamenglong-145, Kangpokpi-25, Thoubal and Kakching -18, Churachandpur and Pherzawl-300, Imphal-5, Imphal West and amp; Tengnoupal-67, Imphal East and Kamjong-39 and Noney-47, according to a DIPR report.