1336 migrants to arrive today, curfew at Balasore rly stn

BALASORE: The Balasore district administration has imposed 24-hour curfew around the Balasore railway station in view of the arrival of a large number of people in two Shramik Special trains on Wednesday.
The curfew has been imposed from 12 midnight of Tuesday to 12 midnight of Wednesday. The curfew will be imposed between Laxminarayan temple and Nuasahi square other than the area within 500-metre radius of Balasore railway station.
Movement of individuals and all non-essential activities are prohibited during this stipulated period, police said.However, vehicles engaged for shifting of the returnees to their destinations will be allowed to ply.
Sahadevkhunta police station IIC, Industrial police station IIC and Balasore Town police station IIC have been directed to ensure law and order in the prohibited area. Violators will be prosecuted under relevant provisions of IPC, an order said.
The district administration took this decision keeping in mind that at least 1,336 Odia migrants are expected to arrive by two trains on Wednesday.
Of the 1,336 migrants, 1,118 are from Balasore district and 218 are from Mayurbhanj district. While 884 people are expected to reach from Thangadh in Gujarat in one train, 452 people are expected to reach from Pune in Maharastra.
Nilu Mohapatra, sub-collector, Balasore, said it will be a challenge for the administration to monitor the movement of returnees and ensure their smooth dispersal from the station to their respective destinations while maintaining law and order.
After the primary screening, the district administration officials will send the migrants to their respective districts by buses and four-wheelers. Social distancing and other guidelines are to be strictly followed, he added.
Several senior officials will be present at the railway station to coordinate arrival, screening and transportation of migrants. A medical team would also be present to undertake the necessary medical examination, said Mohapatra.