GUWAHATI, March 24 - Before start of the lockdown across the State on Tuesday evening, the Kamrup (Metro) district social welfare department, following a direction from the Deputy Commissioner, carried out a drive to shift the people residing on the footpaths of the city to different night shelter homes.
According to officials of the social welfare department, during the drive carried out in collaboration with the Guwahati Municipal Corporation and police, 33 persons including seven women were shifted to four shelter homes in different parts of the city.
The drive, carried out mainly in Panbazar and Paltan Bazar areas, covered the beggars who used to beg near the Sukreswar Temple and Guwahati Railway Station. But the drive did not cover any child.
Official sources said the drive would continue during the lockdown hours if beggars or destitute people are found on footpaths or public places. Initially these persons will get free ration for a week and the facility will be extended depending on the situation.
