GUWAHATI, July 9 - Majority of the people of Assam, who returned from Mumbai following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, are in the age group of 20 to 40 years. Most of them would like to return to Mumbai as soon as the situation improves.
According to records available, more than 10,000 people of the State returned from Mumbai in five trains and some also hired vehicles to return. However, only those, who lost their means of income, returned home.
When contacted by The Assam Tribune, Deputy Resident Commissioner of the Assam Bhawan, Mumbai, Devashis Sharma said that those who have means of income stayed back in Mumbai. The Assam Bhawan tried to maintain records of those who returned to Assam.
As per records available, those people worked in ice, garment and plastic factories, while, some others worked as cab drivers. Several others worked as security guards and waiters in hotels and restaurants. A sizeable number of people of the State were also working in the music and film industry in Mumbai.
Sharma said that majority of the people returned home as they did not have any work following the outbreak of the pandemic, while, there were a few who returned to the State fearing that they would get infected by the disease.
Sharma said that as there was a spike in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, many factories closed operations and the people lost their livelihood. The State Government sanctioned Rs 20 lakh to the Assam Bhawan to provide relief to the people of the State.
The Assam Association, Mumbai is also extending a helping hand, he said adding that relief materials were provided to people in different parts of Mumbai. A relief distribution counter was also set up in the Assam Bhawan.
On the modus operandi adopted to send back the people, Sharma said that many people called the helpline numbers of the Assam Bhawan, while, the Assam Association also played a major role in compiling the list of people keen on returning home. The list was given to the Assam Police. The Assam Police, in turn, contacted the Maharashtra Police and Ministry of Railways to organize trains and facilitate movement of the people to the railway station. Officers of the Assam Bhawan also visited the railway station to coordinate with the Railway authorities.
Sharma said that around 90 per cent of those who returned home, would like to go back to Mumbai as soon as the situation improves. "Some people are already in touch with us expressing desire to return to Mumbai and some factory owners have also realized the fact that they would not survive without workers and they are ready to pay higher salaries," he added. He also said that there are people whose children are studying in schools in Mumbai and they would also love to ensure that they continue studies in the same schools.