Bangladeshis stranded in India continue to return home
People stranded in different states of India after suspension of passenger transports continued to return home through land borders amid coronavirus (COVID-19) threat, government officials said.
Several hundred Bangladeshi citizens were still stranded in different Indian states and most of them were students and patients undergoing treatment in different Indian hospitals, according to diplomatic sources in New Delhi.
Some 189 Bangladeshi people entered the country through Bhomra land port in Satkhira district, Biswajit Sarker, immigration in-charge in Bhomra told New Age, according to our correspondent in Satkhira.
Some 152 people returned on Monday, 127 on Sunday and 104 on Saturday, Biswajit said.
Scores of people were returning home almost every day from India through Benapole land port in Jessore district, Ahsan Habib, immigration in-charge in Benapole said, according to our correspondent in Jessore.
Two to five Bangladeshi people cross the border every day through Akhaura land port under Brahmanbaria district, Abdul Hamid, immigration in-charge in Akhaura, said, according to our Brahmanbaria correspondent.
Immigration officials Biswajit, Ahsan and Abdul Hamid claimed all returnees were checked with handheld thermal scanners to determine whether they were suffering from fever and other symptoms of COVID-19.
All returnees were advised to stay home for at least 14 days under self-quarantine, they said.
The officials claimed that they informed local police stations about the returnees for regular follow ups and to ensure execution of quarantine orders.
Burimari land port in Lalmonirhat district closed down after the government suspended passenger transports, according to our correspondent in the district.
No foreigner was allowed to enter Bangladesh as the government suspended all passenger transports to stop the spread of COVID-19.
There was no export and import as the Indian government imposed a total ban on movement of transport in the country.
The High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi has taken an initiative to send back the stranded Bangladeshis to home following the lockdown announced by Indian government to contain the spread of the novel virus.
The mission took the initiative as a significant number of Bangladeshi patients and students still remained stranded in various hospitals in Chennai, Bangaluru, Vellore and Delhi and educational institutions in different parts of the country following the lockdown.
‘We will send back the stranded Bangladeshis who are willing to return to Bangladesh. A list is being prepared to this end,’ said Bangladesh high commissioner to India Mohammad Imran, according to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
Sources said that the Biman fare would have to be borne by the passengers.
Imran said there is an official formality that may require some time.
After reaching Dhaka they must go for 14-day self-quarantine in Ashkona Hazi camps or in hospitals, the high commissioner added. (Source: New Age)