Issuance of ILP suspended in view of COVID-19 but...
Another 13 migrant workers arrive
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 14 2020:
Just a day after 12 migrant workers were found entering the State even as the issuance of Inner Line Permits has been suspended amid the COVID-19 lockdown, 13 migrant workers reached Imphal by air today, said reliable sources.
All the 13 persons are construction workers and they hail from Bihar.
They have been "called here to build BJP Head Office," as per the sources.
They reached Imphal by air at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.
While the whereabouts of 5 of them are not known yet, eight of them hired a Winger vehicle and headed for the quarantine centre opened at Modern College, Porompat at around 3.30 pm.
However, authorities concerned at the quarantine centre denied them admission as it was beyond their purview.
Some of them had earlier visited Manipur and had valid permits (ILP) while some had none, claimed the sources.
Some of them allegedly told the authorities at the quarantine centre that they were called here to build BJP Head Office.
They admitted altogether 13 of them from Bihar reached Manipur today.
After the eight were denied admission at the quarantine centre, they headed for the quarantine centre opened at HRD Academy, Imphal West, added the sources highly suspecting hands of some political leaders.
Meanwhile, several leaders of civil society organisations have raised questions to the BJP led Government regarding the influx of migrant workers in the State amid the COVID-19 lockdown and the suspension of Inner Line Permits.
Criticising and accusing the Government of flouting SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), the CSO leaders said that the Government should clarify on the issue and take up appropriate action against erring officers, persons involved.
Bringing in migrant workers even when the issuance of ILP is under suspension shows gross high handedness of few in power who are tweaking the rules at their will, they said.
"We suspect hands of some higher ups in the Government and BJP leaders in this case.
This matter should be investigated and all involved should be booked as per law," they said.