Assam and Arunachal Pradesh finalizing modalities for bringing back stranded people

GUWAHATI: While Assam is expected to finalise its modalities for bringing back stranded people by Saturday, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that the Nodal Officers already appointed state-wise will coordinate and chalk out a detailed plan for bringing back natives of Arunachal stranded outside.
Assam health minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “We are having a meeting and we will finalise the modalities for bringing those who are outside by Saturday.”

He added, “First we will bring those stranded across the Northeast India, we may send our Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) buses to get these people”.

Sarma added, “We may send buses to Kolkata, Siliguri. Even people from Assam may come from Bihar and Delhi by bus. However in case of Mumbai, Pune and Southern states we will require train services to resume. We proposed Civil Aviation ministry for providing air service to patients from Assam.”

The health minister said, “We will have to plan out the coming of the people balancing with the quarantine facility available. We cannot bring all together.”

Already Assam has appointed nodal officer in this regard. Assam chief secretary, Kumar Sanjay Krishna tweeted, “The procedure for transfer of stranded persons in all states is being finalized soon. Request for patience till further notice.”

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today said that the Nodal Officers have already been appointed. Home Commissioner Kaling Tayeng will oversee the entire process as the Chief Nodal Officer.

In a statement, the state government stated, “As a part of the ‘Ghar Wapsi’ mission to bring back stranded Arunachalees, Khandu informed that in the first phase people stranded in other North Eastern states will be brought back in batches. He appealed Arunachalees stranded within the North East to apply online as directed till the midnight of May 2”.

Thereafter stranded citizens will be brought back in phased manner from other states starting first with those in green zones.

The Chief Minister however reiterated that ban on issuance of Protected Area Permits (PAP) and Inner Line Permits (ILPs) will continue to be in force. Applications for renewal of already existing permits will also be put on hold till a notification is issued in this regard by the state Home department, he said.

Speaking to ministers, MLAs, deputy commissioners, police officers and health professionals of all the districts through video conferencing here today, Khandu emphasized that life post lockdown will not remain same as the threat of COVID19 is of permanent nature till the virus is eradicated in future.

He pointed that there’s an immediate need for full preparedness of the state machinery to deal with the incoming stranded citizens and directed the deputy commissioners and concerned legislators, particularly of the districts bordering Assam, to physically visit and make sure that all quarantine facilities near the entry points are fully equipped as per protocol.

“Once these quarantine facilities start to house incoming Arunachalees there should not be any complaints for lack of facilities like water supply, electricity, toilets, etc,” he said and suggested formation of local committees to monitor and oversee all such quarantine facilities.

Arunachal Pradesh has 25 entry points with check-gates along the border with Assam. Of these only 12 are functional at the moment as a precautionary measure since the lockdown.

“We need to learn to live with the novel virus. Therefore, securing the lives of our citizens after the lockdown ends and till a cure to this pandemic is found and made available will be the greatest challenge for us,” he said.

While seeking to wait for the directions from the Central government as two more days is to go before the lockdown ends officially, Khandu said the road ahead will be difficult but not impossible.

Khandu informed the legislators that all funds that the state receives under North East Special Infrastructure Development (NESID) and North East Council (NEC) schemes will be used only for developing the state’s health infrastructure.

“Till last month we had not a single ventilator kit or an ICU. This exposes the sorry state of affairs on our part. It must change,” he asserted.

While informing that the government will initiate a massive rationalization in transfer and posting of doctors, Khandu urged legislators, officers and others not to interfere or seek favours. He directed Health Minister Alo Libang not to entertain any recommendation in transfer and posting of doctors.

The Chief Minister assured everybody that there was enough stock of essential commodities in the state to last for at least three months. He suggested movement of essential commodities to districts which are prone to road-blockades during the monsoons in advance.

To several requests for facilitating travel to and from the eastern districts to the state capital, Khandu said that the process has been initiated now that inter-state travel has been opened. He said the state transport department will work out the modalities in a day or two.

“The real challenge for us lies after May 3. Let’s cooperate and coordinate as we have been doing the past two months and thwart entry of COVID19 into our state,” he said.