Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Apr 21: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag (Retd) Justice Hasnain Masoodi has demanded evacuation of stranded students, pilgrims and other workers from J&K.
In a press statement here today the NC leader while lauding the Government efforts to airlift students and pilgrims from Jaisalmer asked the Central Government to facilitate evacuation of others stuck in Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan.
Asking the JK Administration not to allow MHA order on inter-state travel to stand in the way of return of the stranded labourers and students from Kashmir, Masoodi said, ” The restriction on inter-state movement of laborers seemingly is part of the economic opening up and revival plan so that en mass return of the laborers to their states, may not leave the industry without work force and thwart the economic opening plan. The laborers from Kashmir only seasonally migrate to adjoining states for winter months and return in early March to commence agricultural operations in their respective villages and therefore, are not migratory laborers permanently associated with economic activity of an area, or having a role in industrial revival and therefore, are to be treated as a distinct class,” he added.
While expressing concern over the plight of stranded JK labourers Masoodi said, ” The laborers are living in tents, without day to day necessities and in most unhygienic conditions with least scope for social distancing. The soaring temperatures together with lack of sanitation, it is stated, make the stranded labourers prone to infectious diseases. The plight of students stranded within and outside country, the statement adds, is equally a cause of grave concern as the students are faced with most inconvenient and painful situation.
It is stated that with States like UP, Gujarat. MP despite lockdown, undertaking massive operations to evacuate thousands of pilgrims and students stranded in other states and Maharashtra Government reportedly allowing travel of 100000 sugarcane workers to their native villages, the administration must take note of the situation alarming for more than one reason and immediately undertake evacuation and return of stranded laborers and students back to Kashmir.”
Masoodi demanded that procedure for grant of permission for Jammu – Srinagar travel be immediately reviewed as people stranded in far flung areas of Jammu find not only difficult but impossible to reach the prescribed authority through email or otherwise. He suggested that an officer easily accessible be designated in each of the districts for the purpose.
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