In a press briefing, Arunachal CM Khandu talked about measures taken to bring back all Arunachalis migrant laborers stranded outside the state

CM Khandu, referring to “stranded” meant someone who had been to work somewhere but has suddenly got stuck there he said that his government is taking measures to bring back all Arunachalis stranded in other places across the country and after that the introduction a new model of Inner Line Permit or ILP.

“We have to learn to live with COVID and carry forward life activities” he said.

He also expressed his doubts regarding the decision of other states to directly send stranded migrant laborers for home quarantine once they return.

He said, “Several states are sending stranded migrant laborers to home quarantine on returning. I do not know how will its future impact be beneficial to the state and the society.”

Thus, CM Khandu’s government has decided to keep all returnees in institutional quarantine as he believes this will benefit everyone.

He said, “We have decided to keep all Arunachalis coming to the state in central quarantine in their respective places. Have taken this decision for everyone’s benefit.”

He further said that he will not ask for dedicated trains to bring people back, instead use a staggered way of bringing people slowly. This decision has been taken as the state is not well equipped to screen and manage too many people at a go. But he has also said that he has insisted Prime Minister Modi to provide Arunachal with more tools and equipment as this will ensure faster testing.

“Will not bring for dedicated trains in Arunachal because in one go we cannot handle 1200 people. As I have already said before this staggering that we are doing is for everyone’s safety – people coming from outside as well as lakhs of Arunachalis residing in the safety of the state. Thus depending on the staggering ways of quarantine facilities, we are not asking for dedicated trains.” he mentioned

However, the Chief Minister has also assured that all the stranded Arunachalis who want to come back to the state will be welcomed. As soon as there will be vacancies in quarantine centers, the state will get them in there and do all mandatory tests.

CM Khandu has also requested the Assam government for help in this regard to which they have agreed. It has been requested that more number of bogies are added to the special trains as requested by the Assam government and those extra bogies are used specifically for Arnachalis.