Coronavirus lockdown: Many migrant workers from Assam still fighting for livelihood:
Guwahati, April 16: Migrant laborers from Assam stranded in many states of the country due to lockdown in a bid to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and most of them are facing hardships.
The migrant laborers from Assam are stranded in many states such as Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Delhi, Rajasthan and many other states of the country since the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The migrant workers are facing many more difficulties like as to search, purchase foods, shelter places etc during the lockdown period.
The Assam government has recently announced to reach out and help these migrant workers stranded outside Assam by providing financial aid, but the workers are still facing a lot of problems.
36-year-old Md Ishak Ali – a migrant worker hailing from Assam’s Karimganj district, has been stranded at the Dharavi area in Mumbai where 71 people tested positive for COVID-19.
“We are eight people and all are migrant workers, stranded here since the lockdown announced by the Prime Minister. We are following all rules and orders of lockdown directed by the government. We have now no money. Our ration, food items are also almost finished,” Md Ishak Ali said.
He also said that, they are facing many difficulties and they want to return to Assam.
Ishak and his friends have appealed to the Assam government to help them.
Not only, Ishak, there are many migrant workers from have also faced similar problems during the lockdown period.
30-year-old Bina Bodo – another migrant worker from Assam’s Sonitpur district is stuck in Mumbai since lockdown started.
Bina Bodo said that, she came to Mumbai for searching for employment to help her parents and other family members.
“All works are now halted due to lockdown and we are facing many problems. We are appealing to the Assam government to help us,” Bina Bodo said.
On the other hand, another migrant worker from Assam’s Karimganj district said that, many migrant workers from Assam are now stranded in Mumbai and struggling to live.
“We have now no money to purchase foods and our ration stock is almost finished. There is no work here and we are now locked in a room. We have no relatives or friends in Maharashtra and so we are facing various problems,” the migrant worker said.
Earlier, Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that, the state government will provide financial aid to the students, wage laborers, pilgrims who are stranded outside of the state due to lockdown.
“We have been getting a lot of queries that, many people from the state are facing hardships in different parts of the country due to lockdown. Many people from poor and middle-class families are still stranded outside of the state and facing a lot of problems. The figure could be between 50,000 to 4 lakh. Our government has decided to extend financial support to them. So that, we have launched a helpline number 9615471547 and those in need will have to give a missed call to the helpline number and they will get a voice mail and SMS with a link. They will have to update their information and bank account details,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
