Hundreds of migrant workers were seen on Tuesday trying to enter Bengal from Bihar through NH31 and NH34 even though chief minister Mamata Banerjee had made it clear on Monday that none should be allowed to return home during the lockdown.

On Tuesday, many workers walked along NH34 in North Dinajpur to reach homes in different districts, including faraway Birbhum.

A group of 50-odd workers entered Raiganj town. They claimed to be residents of Nalhati in Birbhum and had been to Madhubani in Bihar.

“No transport is available and so, we have started walking home. It is almost a stretch of 600km but we do not have any other option,” said Ashabul Sheikh, after travelling for around 300km.

Some others were seen in areas like Dalkhola and Itahar, with their children and wives. The Centre had asked all states to ensure that migrant workers were take care of.

Osman Gani, another worker who is from Murarai in Birbhum, said they had started walking from Madhubani and reached Purnia More (along NH31 in Dalkhola).

“From there, we hit NH34 and reached Raiganj. We are fortunate that police did not stop us,” he said.

Told about the continuing movement of the migrant workers, North Dinajpur superintendent of police Sumit Kumar said: “We are in touch with the police stations so that no one enters the district. Our men are there on duty at Purnia More round the clock. We would surely check the information and if required, take necessary steps,” the SP said.

Homecoming

Two youths, Hira Sheikh and Salam Ali, who hail from Hajatpur village in Chanchal I block of Malda district and work in at New Town in Calcutta, reached their home on Tuesday evening on bicycles. They covered a distance of over 350km and had started on Saturday afternoon.

Additional reporting by Soumya De Sarkar in Malda