Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, May 9: After finding that people were being ferried in two Haryana registration trucks, police personnel manning the Gundia check post near here blocked the movement the trucks. It was found that the two trucks were moving towards north Indian destinations via Bengaluru, and bore the stickers of transporting essential goods.

The incident happened on Friday May 8. After the police stopped them, the workers insisted on being sent back to their native places. However, the assistant commissioner, who held discussions with them, succeeded in convincing them of the futility of their effort. They were sent back to Mangaluru by three Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses. They were provided breakfast and lunch from Lord Subrahmanya temple.

Both the trucks bearing Haryana registration numbers, were loaded with 120 migrant workers. The trucks were covered at the top with tarpaulins and the trucks had stickers meant for transportation of essential goods. The police personnel who checked the trucks came to know that people were being transported. The police who stopped the trucks conveyed information to higher officials. All the 120 workers were then taken to Pilikaje school in Gundia.

Puttur assistant commissioner Dr Yatish Ullal, reached the spot in the afternoon. The workers said that they had come to Mangaluru for conducting clothes business and because of lockdown they were stranded for 45 days without work and money. They said they do not have proper place to stay and insisted on being sending back to their hometowns.

Dr Yatish who refused to meet their demands, said that they would be sent to their states after obtaining permission from the district administration. He promised to make arrangements for their stay and food at Mangaluru. They were thereafter sent back to Mangaluru by three buses. The assistant commissioner also instructed the police to seize the trucks which carried the people without authorization.