Hailakandi administration facilitates movement of stranded people to different parts of Assam

April 30: Stuck in Hailakandi district due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown for more than a month, the district authorities arranged buses for their safe return to different parts of the state. District Transport Officer, SR Mannan disclosed that 12 ASTC operated buses ferried 79 stranded persons from Hailakandi to Cachar, Karimganj, Karbi Anglong, Hojai, Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup and Nagaon on Saturday and Sunday. Mannan informed that out of 161 who applied for e movement pass, 79 passes were issued while 82 were cancelled.

The DTO disclosed that another 74 stranded persons would be taken by six numbers of ASTC buses on Thursday evening to far off places such as Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Tezpur, Barpeta, Kokrajhar and other places of the state. 111 persons applied for e pass while 74 were accepted. He also informed that while arranging the seats, proper distancing was maintained keeping in view the COVID-19 guidelines.

Even for those who wanted to travel on their own vehicles within and outside the district, the administration issued e passes only after ensuring that only two persons travelled, including the driver. “Only in exceptional cases more persons were allowed to travel in a car such as a mother with one or two children,” said Assistant Commissioner, Sari Laruotkim Lungtau looking after the e pass cell.

For hassle-free movement of outbound and inbound people, the district administration has put up two reception points at Katakhal and Thandapur and six embarkation points at Thandapur Outpost, Panchgram Outpost, Algapur Police Station, Hailakandi ASTC Point, Abdullapur Outpost and Katlicherra Police Station. Vehicles have been arranged at each point for further drop off. Medical teams have been deployed with hand wash and toilet arrangements at the reception and embarkation points.

An elated Ziaul Hussain, said, “I want to thank the Government of Assam and the district administration for arranging conveyance to go back home after we ran out of money.” Officials engaged with the e pass cell received numerous requests for inter-district movement from people stuck in Hailakandi due to the lockdown. E passes were arranged after proper scrutiny of each and every case thus facilitating movement on personal and public transport.

The authorities here arranged ration and even accommodation to people stuck in the district, including migrant labourers. “We provided food and ration to those stranded and will continue to reach out to those who are in distress,” said an official, adding, “We are happy to facilitate the movement of a large number of people stuck up here to different parts of Assam.” “At the administrative level, the Hailakandi administration is facilitating the movement of workers, employees and others by accepting maximum possible requests. Inter district and inter state coordination are being ensured to help them out in view of the ongoing lockdown,” said District Information and Public Relations Officer, Sabir Nishat, adding that the administration is keeping posted the Government of Meghalaya about the movement of people from Assam side to avoid any hiccups.