Mangaluru: False train rumour leaves many stranded

MANGALURU: Over 400 migrant labourers from West Bengal were left stranded on Thursday after they learnt that news of a Shramik Special train leaving Mangaluru to their state was just a rumour.
Labourers working in industries and the special economic zone had gathered at Jokatte near Surathkal in the wee hours after news spread that special buses would drop them to Mangaluru Central railway station. But there was no train and police requested them to return to their homes.
Democratic Youth Federation of India state president Muneer Katipalla and Thokur gram panchayat member Aboobakker Bava arranged food and temporary stay for the travellers.Katipalla said they had all registered on the Seva Sindhu portal.
“Some of them received SMS texts that a train will leave on Thursday and they were told to wait near Jokatte,” he said. They gathered there, but in vain. Many had vacated their rented premises, thinking they were leaving for good. Some of them are now staying in the panchayat building.”
Lakshadweep returnees
Meanwhile, passenger vessel ‘Amin Divi’ brought back workers who were stranded in Lakshadweep back to Mangaluru. The ship brought 19 people including three women, who were stranded on the island for the past two months. Most are workers who were engaged in construction, while others had gone to the island on business.