JSU demands govt to arrange safe return of stranded citizens

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 10, 2020

The Jaintia Students Union (JSU) has demanded the state government to arrange transportation for the safe return of many people stranded in the different parts of the country owing to the national lockdown to combat COVID-19 pandemic. 

This came after the state government has recently announced its decision to allow citizens stranded outside the North East region, to return to the state. 

The government has also decided to allow those who can arrange their own transportation to come back to the state from May 11. 

In a memorandum to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, JSU however said many lives are at stakes if the government is allowing residents of the state to travel at their own risk.  

“So therefore, the best solution we have now is for the Meghalaya Government is to arrange other modes of transportation like Buses, Railway or Airways,” the JSU asserted.

“From what we see, we think that the government is trying to put themselves in the safe side, a hassle free task for them,” it alleged.

The Union further pointed out that the guidelines as per the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India published on the 29th April, it never mentioned anywhere that private vehicles are allowed or permitted to avail transit pass in order to pick up stranded citizens. 

It only mentioned that buses shall be used and that it will be sanitized and follow strict protocols, it said.

It said by allowing residents to pick up stranded citizens, it means that the whole family will have to be in quarantine for 2 weeks and even more adding and that the state government will provide these families all the basic requirements. 

The union however suggested that if the government arranged buses to pick up stranded citizens and put them in quarantine centres, instead of sending them home, it will save the expenses to a great extent. 

“And it will also relief the Government employees from being defer their salaries.  We know that inflation is coming our way but the government need expert opinions at the earliest to prevent this. We see that fuel prices are hiked and now liquor too. And there will be more to come. And most of our citizens are not ready for it,” the memorandum stated.