Kolkata, Apr 24 (IANS): Nine Railway Protection Force personnel, who had gone to Delhi before the March 22 janata curfew, have tested positive for coronavirus infection, a South Eastern Railway spokesman said on Friday.

Those who tested positive were admitted to a hospital by the West Bengal government. The other members of the contingent are in home quarantine, the spokesman told IANS.

They were part of the 28-member team from the SER Kharagpur division sent to bring some security equipment from Delhi.

"They had gone to Delhi before the March 22 curfew to bring much-needed security equipment. However, they got stranded in Delhi due to the lockdown and were put up at the RPF settlement there," the spokesman said.

When the parcel express service was resumed, the entire group returned to Howrah while escorting the equipment.

"Once they reached Howrah, they were sent in 14-day quarantine. We also got them tested for coronavirus since they had returned from another state. Nine were found infected while others tested negative," he said.

"We are also testing all those who came in contact with the infected personnel," said the spokesman.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien called the news 'disturbing'.

In a post on his Twitter handle, O'Brien said the group had come to Kolkata from Delhi on April 14.

"Why were positive patients travelling during lockdown? WHO SENT THEM? Screening? How many people did they meet?" he tweeted.