5000 Stranded Migrants Headed back to Assam after Issuance of Passes: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Dispur, May 7, 2020:

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that over 5000 people from Assam are close to crossing the initial hurdle to return to their native state amid the ongoing lockdown, which is in its third phase.

Sarma has said that 375 passes have been issued to people stranded in other states amid the nationwide lockdown. 375 passes have been issued by the Assam Police, Sarma said, adding that 2,056 people have now been given permission to re-enter the state. 540 more passes are being issued, Sarma said, adding 3,420 people are awaiting permission to come back to the state.

Sarma has, meanwhile urged people in the state not to return if there is no urgency.

There is no requirement for re-entry of people from other NE states since the region by-and-large has been a green zone, Sarma said.

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Meanwhile, out of the 45 patients in Assam, 34 patients have been cured and discharged in Assam, and the recovery rate is 75.56% -- far higher than the national and international recovery rates.

One person (from Hailakandi) has died so far.

In a positive development, Biswa Sarma said that the first patient, who is also suffering from Cancer, has been released after a prolonged battle with the COVID-19. "He was tested more than 20 times, and each time he tested positive. However, we chose to release him after he tested negative twice", Sarma said.

Meanwhile, the number of accredited labs in the state has risen to seven, and the DRDO Tezpur and Diphu Medical College will soon be turned into accredited labs, shared Sarma.

Sarma, meanwhile, has said that people will be charged a fine of Rs 500 for not wearing masks out in public. "If they are caught not wearing the mask or even dangling it on their necks, the authorities will charge a fine of Rs 500", Sarma said, adding that legal action shall be taken against the violators under the provisions of the Epidemic Disease Act.

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