Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia on Friday moved the Tamil Nadu government to ensure relief and safety for thousands of people from Assam who are stranded in Chennai.
On Wednesday, rumours led to hundreds of migrant workers from the state descending at Assam Bhawan in Pallikaranai area of Chennai, in the hope of catching a train back home.
However, when they learned that no train was available, a large number of people expressed displeasure over the government’s failure to address the situation. They also took to social media alleging that no aid was being provided to them by the Tamil Nadu government.
Expressing concern over the situation, Saikia in an urgent letter to the special nodal officer for Covid-19, Greater Chennai Corporation, said, “The stranded youths are in a Catch-22 situation. They have complained that they do not have enough food, etc for all the people. I request you kindly to provide relief, shelter and other necessary items for these stranded youths, as per Government of India’s guideline, till they can be transported back to Assam.”
“I would request you to assist for their transportation to Assam, whenever the train service is provided from Chennai to Assam. I would request you to take up the matter on a priority basis,” he added. Many of these stranded people were camping at the Assam House in Chennai. However, owing to limited space, Chennai police directed the rest to take shelter in a nearby educational institute.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal also said he had taken up the matter with authorities in Tamil Nadu.
“I’ve learnt about the situation and already discussed the matter with the local authorities there. Also requested them to provide all possible help on an urgent basis,” Sonowal said.
According to the authorities in Chennai, the rumours started after a train left for Mizoram on Tuesday with around 200 workers from Assam on board. This was followed by the spread of “fake” information that another train will leave for Assam on Wednesday evening. Thousands reached Assam Bhawan to register themselves for the journey back home.