Trains from Chennai with 1140 on board Shramik Special train reach Jiribam
135 Ukhrul bound returnees first to board bus for journey back home
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal / Jiribam, May 13 2020: As many as 1,140 stranded Manipuris from Chennai reached Jiribam on Shramik Special train today.

Departing Chennai on May 10, the train carrying the 1,140 State natives reached Jiribam Railway Station today at around 12.20 pm under strict surveillance of the district administration and health authorities.

As they reached Jiribam station, health authorities and top officials of the Government including Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu, Additional Director of Police L Kailun, Deputy Commissioner Jiribam W Malemnganba Chenglei and other officials inspected and monitored the batch wise COVID-19 screening processes.

Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu and his team had arrived at Jiribam by helicopter at around 12.14 pm.

Trains from Chennai with 1140 on board Shramik Special train reach Jiribam

135 passengers who hail from Ukhrul district were first screened for COVID-19 symptoms and were provided with food packages before clearing them to board six buses kept ready for further evacuation to Ukhrul DHQs.

Officials at Jiribam said that after thorough inspections those passengers who are asymptomatic will be evacuated to their respective district for quarantine.

"The screening is being conducted strictly following the guidelines and advices of the Health Department and Government.

Those who have no symptoms of COVID-19 will be evacuated to their respective districts for quarantine.

Bus drivers and officials concerned have also been advised to take the passengers to the quarantine centres concerned in their home district," said an official.

On the sideline of the screening, Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu said he is happy that the stranded State natives have been brought back home safely.

Processes are on to bring back more stranded people from other States such as Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and other cities like Delhi, he said.

He also advised stranded people to register themselves with the authorities concerned for evacuation.

After screening, Dr J Suresh Babu flagged off the buses bound for districts from Jiribam.

Dr J Suresh Babu and his team left Jiribam for Imphal at around 3.45 pm.

At least 50 buses arranged by the Transport Department and Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC) were engaged in ferrying the stranded State natives.

TDC president H Ranjit said that the drivers involved have been advised to ferry the passengers to their home districts.

Adequate fuel for the buses are kept arranged at Imphal if they need, he said adding TDC members are stationed at 'designated' places for the purpose.

Several civil society organisations of Jiribam, AJUCA, JDO, Red Cross Society and student bodies assisted the district administration and health authorities in the screening process.

It may be noted that the Health Department had earlier issued various SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to be followed in evacuation, screening and quarantine processes.

It had informed that all those found having COVID-19 symptoms would be immediately separated from the group, examined and tested for further treatment if found positive for the virus.

All asymptomatic persons would be ferried by bus to quarantine centres in districts concerned.

Deputy Commissioners will arrange for screening of all arriving passengers at designated district screening centres.

All asymptomatic passengers should be taken to community quarantine centres or institutional quarantine centres.

Symptomatic passengers should be separated and taken to isolation ward of district hospitals concerned.

In addition, Deputy Commissioners/Chief Medical Officers shall designate a 24x7 District Control Room, which shall be operated by doctors and staff on roster basis, said Heath Department's directives.