25 migrant workers in Meghalaya walk 62 km amid lockdown, sent to relief camp

Tura (Meghalaya), Apr 17 () A group of 25 migrantworkers, who travelled around 62 km on foot amid thenationwide lockdown, were held at a check gate in North GaroHills district of Meghalaya while they were trying to enterAssam, their home state, a police officer said on Friday.

The group, which include four women and as manychildren, started their arduous journey from the coal-richvillage of Shallang in West Khasi Hills district a few daysago in the hope of reaching home.

"The workers hail from Goalpara district of Assam.They used internal routes and jungles to avoid being detectedby policemen at various check points. But, the team werefinally stopped at the Dainadubi check gate," North Garo Hillspolice chief Abraham T Sangma said.

The district administration has taken them to a reliefcamp and provided food and shelter, officials said.

The group will stay there till movement of peoplebetween states is allowed again, they said.

Many such workers from West Khasi Hills and South GaroHills have earlier been spotted at Dainadubi and they havebeen taken to various relief camps, officials said.

"We will take a decision after April 20. For now, theywill be sheltered in relief camps," North Garo Hills DeputyCommissioner S C Sadhu said.

Lockdown norms are expected to be relaxed after April20. CORR JOP NNRBT RBT