New Delhi, May 1 (IANS): The Delhi government on Friday directed for setting up an adequate number of pickets in all the areas where the migrant workers are residing to prevent their movements and assembly in view of Centre's nod for their inter-state travel.
In an order, Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev on Friday directed the Delhi Commissioner of Police and the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to take all necessary measures and make all out efforts to prevent any unlawful assembly and movement of persons in any part of the city.
He said that intelligence inputs have been received that in view of the Central government's order allowing the movement of the migrants, certain anti-social elements may try to incite and provoke the stranded persons.
Dev in his capacity as the Delhi State Executive Committee Chairperson, said the anti-social elements may incite the migrant workers in the undesirable hope of creating some tensions and conflict besides attempting to violate the lockdown measures which shall have devastating consequences in the fight against COVID-19.
The Central government has allowed the movement of stranded persons including migrant workers, tourists, pilgrims etc. subject to certain stipulations.
However, with lockdown still imposed, Dev directed different government departments to prevent any unlawful assembly and disorderly movement of any persons throughout the city.
He also directed them for setting up an adequate number of pickets in all the areas where the migrant workers are residing to prevent their movement.
"The inter-state borders must be completely sealed and a strict vigil should be maintained on inter-state movement of goods carriers too, lest they become a vehicle for illegal transportation of stranded persons," the order reads.
It says that any vehicle found transporting stranded persons should be impounded and strict punitive action as per law should be taken against violators.
"It should be ensured that no movement of such stranded persons should be allowed at the inter-state borders without following the protocol prescribed by the Centre."
Dev said necessary directions should be issued to all the field authorities -- SHOs, District Deputy Commissioners of Police and Joint Commissioners of Police (Range) for ensuring the implementation of this order in letter andA spirit.
"Special Commissioner (Intelligence) and Special Commissioners (Law & Order) of Delhi Police shall gather intelligence from all corners of Delhi and the inter-state borders in respect of movement of migrant labour force, tourists and pilgrims etc. and share the same with all District DCPs and SHOs who will take concrete and focused actions/steps in respect of all actionable intelligence."
Also all the field functionaries shall remain in the field for enforcement of the orders, the order said.
"It should be ensured without fail that the social distancing and other protocols prescribed by Central and Delhi governments for containing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 are followed in letter and spirit."
Soon after the lockdown was announced on March 24, thousands of migrants gathered at the Uttar Pradesh-Delhi borders for inter-state buses, which were stopped due to lockdown.